National Desk, 19th May: With the Ladakh Lok Sabha election just a day away, the Congress launched a scathing attack on the Modi government on May 19, accusing it of neglect and discriminatory treatment towards the union territory over the past decade. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted ongoing protests by Ladakh residents demanding greater control over their land and resources, despite braving harsh winter conditions.
Ramesh underscored the participation of all eight tribes and over 30,000 people in these protests, which have included hunger strikes and large marches, while condemning the government’s silence and inaction in response.
In a social media post, Ramesh stated, “Over the last 10 years, Ladakh has been at the receiving end of the worst of the Modi government’s Anyay Kaal – from complete apathy to malicious and step-motherly treatment.”
He pointed out that the Modi administration downgraded Ladakh to a Union Territory without a legislature in August 2019, stripping it of its autonomous representation. Ramesh accused the government and its corporate allies of exploiting Ladakh’s natural resources, jeopardizing the region’s delicate ecosystem.
Ramesh also criticized the central government’s remote control of Ladakh through a lieutenant governor, noting that increased tourism and urbanization are creating significant pressure on the region’s resources and leading to water shortages.
He claimed that the Modi government’s weakness has allowed China to seize 2,000 square kilometers of Ladakh territory, directly impacting thousands of indigenous shepherds. Ramesh emphasized that the Congress ‘Nyay Patra’ promises Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh’s tribal areas, granting them critical autonomy to preserve their culture and environment, along with plans to address environmental issues and climate change.
Ladakh, India’s largest constituency by area, has about 1.84 lakh voters, with roughly 96,000 in Kargil and over 88,000 in Leh. “On June 4, Ladakh will begin the process of healing, and return to the path of prosperity and stability!” he added.
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