Centre Ignored Ladakh’s Peaceful Demands, Now Using Violence to Tarnish People’s Struggle: NC MP
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 27: National Conference (NC) MP Ruhullah Mehdi has held the central government responsible for the deteriorating situation in Ladakh, alleging that years of peaceful appeals for statehood and constitutional safeguards were ignored, leading to public anger and unrest. He said the violence that erupted in Leh earlier this week is now being used as a pretext to defame the people’s movement and brand them with baseless labels.
Addressing reporters in Sonamarg, the Srinagar MP said that for over five years, Ladakh’s people have been demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution through peaceful means, but their pleas were repeatedly dismissed. “The biggest culprits are those in Delhi who take decisions but refuse to listen to the people,” Mehdi said, adding that the Centre’s indifference has allowed frustration to fester into unrest.
On Wednesday, four people were killed and around 90 were injured after protests turned violent during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body to press for talks on Ladakh’s political status. Mehdi said the incident is now being exploited to malign the people’s aspirations. “The people of Ladakh should have been engaged with meaningfully and their demands addressed in the past five years. Instead, this unfortunate episode is being used to brand them as anti-nationals, Chinese agents, or ISI agents,” he remarked.
Mehdi expressed solidarity with Ladakh’s people and urged them to continue their movement through non-violent means. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir stand with the people of Ladakh in their peaceful struggle. Whether they choose to seek statehood and Sixth Schedule protection or wish to reunite with Jammu and Kashmir, we are with them,” he affirmed. He added that their struggle mirrors the broader aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir, where the demand for the restoration of statehood and Article 370 remains strong and unresolved.
The MP acknowledged that there is growing disillusionment among people due to what they see as Delhi’s unwillingness to consider their aspirations. However, he insisted this should not be mistaken for surrender. “Sometimes there is despair because those in power do not listen, but it does not mean people have given up their rightful demands,” Mehdi said.
He called on the Centre to engage with the people’s concerns sincerely and avoid creating political vacuums that could destabilize the region. “A vacuum should not be allowed to develop, one that would harm both the people and the country. That is in nobody’s interest,” he said, urging the government to consider restoring the constitutional status and protections that Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh enjoyed under Article 370.
The NC leader also welcomed the recent remarks by former chief minister Omar Abdullah on keeping the BJP out of power in Jammu and Kashmir. “The people voted in last year’s assembly elections to prevent the BJP from forming a government. We must honor that mandate. The party sought votes to keep the BJP away, and it is now our responsibility to uphold that promise,” Mehdi said.
