‘Unity cannot mean sacrifice by Leh alone’
Leh: Skarma Namtak, Convenor of the Voice of Buddhist Ladakh, has expressed serious concern over what he described as a growing threat to Ladakh’s “peaceful, sacred and serene social fabric,” accusing certain political leaders of exploiting recent tragedies and pushing the region towards instability for personal and political interests.
In a strongly worded Facebook post, Namtak said that Ladakh had earlier remained protected from such divisions due to the presence of “visionary and selfless socio-political leadership” that upheld unity, mutual respect and collective responsibility. However, he alleged that the absence of such collective leadership today has allowed “politically ambitious and selfish leaders” to dominate the public discourse.
Referring to the recent unrest in Leh, Namtak claimed that innocent and unemployed youth were being “mobilized and misled” into protests and agitations against the government. He further alleged that the deaths of four youths in the recent violence were repeatedly being used for political gain instead of offering healing and support to the affected families.
According to him, even minor children of the victims were being drawn into political activities rather than being provided educational support and care. He accused certain leaders of crossing “all limits of humanity and moral responsibility” and damaging Ladakh’s centuries-old cultural ethos.
Namtak also questioned what he termed the “selective burden” borne by Leh during major movements in Ladakh. He pointed out that most of the casualties and injuries in the recent agitation were from Leh and questioned why Leh alone should continue to “bear the pain, sacrifice and loss” for larger regional causes, while others later seek an equal share in the outcomes.
He also criticized the repeated public “Thank You” programmes being organised in Leh, stating that appreciation had already been conveyed earlier. Instead of holding political gatherings at the NDS ground and involving rural residents, he suggested that gratitude could be expressed directly to advocates, doctors and medical staff at institutions such as the Court Complex and SNM Hospital.
Calling for “real unity” based on equal participation and sacrifice from all sides, Namtak warned people against being “emotionally fooled in the name of pseudo-unity.” He concluded his post by stating that “truths are coming out one after another,” hinting at further revelations in the ongoing political discourse in Ladakh.
