Kargil/ February 25, 2021: Congress Councillor from Phyang Constituency of LAHDC Leh Tundup Nurbu Cheetah expressed deep concern over weakening the Hill Development Council in Leh by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The councilor expressed his concerns in an interview with the Voice of Ladakh correspondent during his recent tour to Kargil. A delegation from LAHDC Leh was in Kargil for a meeting to deliberate on various issues including the late declaration of results in colleges and strengthening of people’s elected Hill development Council.

After a massive protest by Elizer Jolden Memorial (EJM) college students, the young councilor Cheetah had met with the Vice-Chancellor University of Kashmir to communicate the issues of college students. Immediately after his meeting, the results of a semester were declared.

The issues of students in colleges of Leh and Kargil are different that include the late issue of B. Ed Degree, late declaration of back lock results, late declaration of results since last two years, scholarship issues, etc. The Councillor said that the CEC Kargil has assured the delegation to communicate with the principals of colleges and to form a grievance redressal desk in each college. That has already fulfilled before the publishing of this report.

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Councillor Cheetah said that his aim to visit Kargil was to conduct a joint camp to raise and address these common issues together. He said that they got a good response from the Hill Council Kargil in the presence of Executive Councillors, where they together discussed education-related issues for around an hour. He further said that the councillors from the two districts discussed various other issues also apart from the key agenda that was education.

On asking about Home Minister Amit Shah’s poor response to the demand of Sixth Schedule by the Apex Body, Councillor Cheetah said that Sixth Schedule is the joint demand of all stakeholders in Leh except BJP, that the Apex Body took up with the Center Government. However, the Government while neglecting the core agenda formed a committee to study the issue. Thus, he preferred to wait until the report of the committee is declared. In this time, if there is any threat arises to the safety of Ladakh, the Congress party will manifest its stand; “otherwise, we have to wait and watch till the declaration of the report”, he maintained.

“We had expected a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer from the Government for the Apex Body’s Sixth Schedule demand, however, it did not happen. We may get something else in place of the Sixth Schedule. In a period of one or two months, the committee may submit their report; accordingly, we will frame our future course of action.”

On asking that, the stand of the Congress committee in Kargil and Leh has remained in contrast to each other, Councillor Cheetah said that “the demand of statehood is not only of Kargil’s Congress but Leh Congress also has raised the demand of statehood along with Sixth Schedule. Even the Ex-MLA from Nubra Constituency Deldan Namgyal had advocated for statehood. However, later the social, political, and other organisations believed that the inclusion of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule is the need of the hour before all other concerns to protect the land, fragile environment, and unique culture. Nonetheless, the issue of statehood can be raised later also. Thus, except BJP all other parties agreed for 6^th Schedule. “

“On the other side the District Congress Committee Kargil is advocating for the restoration of Article 370 and 35-A; this is the beauty of a democratic nation where even the members of a single party are having different opinions on a single issue. Whatever the Government grants us, I believe that in a democracy the people have the freedom to disagree and raise a voice against that. “

On asking the stand of Congress Party on the current concerns of Ladakh, Councillor Cheetah said that “if the current government did not take necessary action to protect Ladakh’s environment, culture, jobs, land, etc than in coming 10 years Ladakh will survive but one would face difficulty in searching a Ladakhi in Ladakh.”

On the functioning of the Ladakh Union territory administration, the Councillor said that “the UT Administration seems to neglect the people’s elected representatives in Hill Development Council.” He alleged that the UT administration is side-lining the Hill Council and not caring for the protocols.

“The Hill Council Kargil has somehow protected its dignity and existence however the Hill Council in Leh has lost the same. In Leh, the MP has been given preference over CEC which is contradictory to norms and protocol. The CEC is of Cabinet-level where the MP is not at his level. However, in Government events, the MP is honoring as Chief Guest in presence of the CEC. In this way, the BJP is undermining the Autonomous Council.”

“In a similar way, on the occasion of flag off to the Panchayat members for training, the Divisional Commissioner flagged off the delegation in presence of the CEC. However, the CEC is the Chairman of the District Panchayat Committee (Panchayat Zila Parishad). But the CEC despite being from the BJP party has failed to protect his dignity. Being the opposition party, we always stand with the Hill Council and urge to protect its dignity and autonomy. But unfortunately, the CEC is not concerned for Council’s dignity and existence, as a result, people are joining the BJP party in CEC’s office. When the council is used for the political purpose of a particular party, how people’s development and welfare is possible”, asked Cheetah.

“Being the opposition, we have kept a close eye on these issues however the people also have to act as a watchdog on these issues. He further said that the people in Ladakh are straightforward who is easy to be lured, thus people have to keep both their eyes and ears open on these concerns and don’t get betrayed by anyone. If the people are lured by immediate benefits and don’t try to know the reality, Ladakh has to bear the huge loss in coming days.”

“In the current scenario, all people in Ladakh irrespective of ideological and regional affiliations have to raise their voice against the ill policies of the BJP. If people think that their voice against BJP would keep them away from getting District Status or getting a committee hall or meet any other demand, their thinking is absolutely wrong. The silence of people will lead to a dark fate for Ladakh.

“On the one side, the Kargil Council has the right to unfurl the Tricolour on Republic Day and played a vital role in the evacuation of pilgrims from Iran, but unfortunately, the Leh Council on the other hand has totally failed to use its powers in action.

“In the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir the Bureaucrats never interfered in the matters and functioning of the Council; in case of such issue, the MLA and the center used to create pressure over them.

“Earlier even the illiterate or less literate councillors survived in the council; in the current UT situation, if you elect less educated councillors, the bureaucrats would create a hurdle by showing them different rules. Thus, there is a need to elect well-educated councillors in the council.

“In the current situation, we have only the Hill Council which is elected directly by the people. Thus, there is a need to put forward the well-educated youth to lead the regions. The people must not sell their dignity and vote for monetary benefits.

“The current councilors are responsible for the future of Ladakh; if not work for the protection of Ladakh’s values, they would be responsible for the loss”, concluded Cheetah.