Ladakh, once a part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, became a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two separate Union Territories in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature and Ladakh without one. Since then, the region has grappled with its newfound administrative status and has been advocating for greater autonomy and protection of its cultural and demographic identity because the people were left without legislation to protect their land, culture, and jobs. Their statehood was reduced to a Union Territory without a legislature. A Lokniti survey pointed out that four-tenths of Jammu residents are opposed to abrogation of special status and a larger majority seeking restoration of statehood.
Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are spearheading the movement seeking to elevate Ladakh from its current Union Territory status to a full-fledged state, granting it greater political autonomy and decision-making powers, Constitutional provisions under the 6th Schedule to protect the cultural, linguistic, and land rights of the indigenous population, reservations in employment opportunities for the youth of Ladakh, ensuring equitable access to economic resources and opportunities and establishment of distinct Parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil, reflecting the unique demographic and geographical characteristics of each region.
The protest on Wednesday recorded four deaths, injuring at least 45, including 22 police personnel. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets, with flames and dark smoke visible from afar. Tensions escalated when some individuals began pelting stones at the BJP office and the Hill Council. Police and paramilitary forces deployed in strength responded with teargas to control the unrest. Along with the BJP office, several vehicles were set ablaze amid the complete shutdown in the Ladakh capital.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was leading the peaceful protests, has called it a “Gen Z revolution”. So is social media. It is now abuzz that the protesters in Ladakh were Gen Zers while some even drew parallels with the Nepal uprising, where Gen Z demonstrators toppled the government. Experts say Gen Z is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of government and individual rights. The experiences of Gen Z, particularly their encounters with the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges of low employment, have exerted a profound impact on their perspectives. While they might want to focus on strengthening social affairs it is important for Gen Zers to develop political strategies and not spin a burn-it-all-down strategy and the government must also find a way to meet the legitimate demands of Ladakh and grant it statehood.
