Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 24: Amid the emergence of differences among leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) over the inclusion of some leaders in the body, there is uncertainty over the chances of the next round of talks with the Higher Power Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB), in coordination with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has decided to postpone its pursuit of resumed dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) until mid-August, prioritizing the ongoing spiritual visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Leh.
The decision comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the scheduling of talks addressing two key demands: the restoration of statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Quoting veteran LAB leader Chering Dorjay Lakrook, some reports suggested that the agitating groups have not received any formal invitation from the Union Home Ministry.
Several organizations have urged the LAB to defer all forms of protest, including a planned hunger strike by climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, until the Dalai Lama’s visit concludes around August 15 or 16.
The LAB and KDA, which have been jointly advocating a four-point agenda, had initially pushed for talks with the MHA by July 15, rejecting the ministry’s proposed date of July 28.
The MHA later suggested rescheduling for July 20, but no meeting has materialized, leaving the dialogue in limbo. This delay persists despite assura The decision comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the scheduling of talks addressing two key demands: the restoration of statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Adding to the call for restraint, Rev. Kushok Thiksey Rinpoche, Head Lama of Thiksay and Diskit Monasteries and former Rajya Sabha MP, issued a formal appeal on July 15. In a letter to the LAB, co-chaired by Lakrook, Rinpoche urged the postponement of all protests, including Wangchuk’s fast, to maintain peace during the Dalai Lama’s visit.
“His Holiness’s presence brings immense spiritual grace, a moment for peace, reflection, and unity,” Rinpoche wrote, emphasizing that agitation during this period could detract from the Dalai Lama’s message of compassion and non-violence. “Let us preserve the sanctity of this time and reflect the values His Holiness stands for—peace, non-violence, and togetherness,” the letter stated.
On July 12, Lakrook had announced that Wangchuk deferred his hunger strike following the Centre’s proposal to advance talks on the core demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion. However, with no formal invitation from the MHA forthcoming, the LAB and KDA remain focused on ensuring a peaceful environment during the Dalai Lama’s visit before resuming their advocacy.
As Ladakh awaits clarity on the MHA’s next steps, the region’s leaders are balancing their political demands with the spiritual significance of the Dalai Lama’s presence, highlighting the delicate interplay of activism and reverence in the region. |
