Ladakh’s Historic Ties with Gilgit-Baltistan and Demand for Extension of Territory

Ladakh's primary socio-political entities, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have urged the Central government to expand Ladakh's territorial influence up to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). They advocate for ensuring internal stability by granting Statehood with assurances of the Sixth Schedule to counteract the threat posed by China.

In a recent memorandum presented to the Union Home Ministry in January, LAB and KDA have outlined the rationale for pursuing Statehood and special status under the Sixth Schedule for the region. Ladakh was delineated as a Union Territory in 2019, stemming from the reorganization of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The memorandum emphasizes Ladakh's strategic significance concerning China and Pakistan, asserting that empowering the local population will contribute to stability. It underscores the locals' historical understanding of Ladakh's challenging terrain and geography, which has consistently proven beneficial in military and logistical operations.

Highlighting the historical context, the memorandum notes that prior to 1947, the Ladakh district encompassed the Gilgit-Baltistan area, currently under Pakistan's control. The recommendation is made to incorporate this area into Ladakh, akin to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with reserved seats.

Ladakh also shares an extensive but unpredictable Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, experiencing a violent clash between the two countries' troops in 2020. The memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) underscores that empowering the locals will contribute to stability in the region, thereby enhancing foreign policy outcomes. It emphasizes the invaluable role played by the locals' understanding of Ladakh's challenging terrain in military and logistical operations.

Historical ties

Karan Singh, son of Hari Singh, asserted in a conversation with B.K. Nehru, former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, that the most fundamental aspect of the region during British India's partition in 1947 was its artificial statehood. He explained that the amalgamation of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, and Baltistan resulted from the historical accident of Raja Gulab Singh conquering the territories ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh at the time of Independence and Partition. These distinct entities lacked commonalities.

Historically, Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Kargil (Ladakh) were not willingly part of the entity known as Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh, an independent kingdom for nearly 900 years, established trade routes between India, the Orient, and Central Asia. The Dogra rulers from the southern hills expanded their dominance over the region, dividing it into two wizarats (districts) in 1846. Dogra rule, a form of colonialism within British colonialism, owed its existence to British power and patronage.

Concerned about foreign interference, the British leased Gilgit Wizarat in 1935 for 60 years from the Maharaja of Kashmir. When the British withdrew in 1947, the people of Gilgit and Baltistan sought self-rule, leading to a revolt. Despite a brief period of independence, local rulers invited Pakistan to assume control. However, the aspirations of equal political rights within the federation remained unfulfilled. Cross-border areas witnessed a redefinition of their traditional space. India lost 37,555 sq km of Ladakh's Aksaichin region to China in the 1962 border war, while Pakistan reportedly ceded a 5180 sq km area in the Shamshal region of Gilgit to China.

Neither Ladakh nor Gilgit-Baltistan is 'Kashmiri,' as locals differ in eating habits, clothing, and language. They share more cultural similarities with each other than with Srinagar valley or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Post-Partition, both Ladakh and the Northern Areas struggled for attention from New Delhi and Islamabad, respectively.

Demands of Ladakh post scrapping of Article 370

Ladakh, governed by two hill councils in Leh and Kargil, has formally requested the establishment of a comprehensive legislature. This plea emphasizes that providing legislative powers to the local population through the formation of a legislature would enhance effective governance, promote development, and contribute to fostering India's federal structure.

Covering an expanse of 59,146 square kilometres, Ladakh was originally part of the Kashmir division within the former State of Jammu and Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, the region was designated as a Union Territory, alongside Jammu and Kashmir, as the central government nullified its special constitutional status under Article 370. However, in contrast to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh currently lacks a legislative body. Instead, it operates under the governance of two elected hill councils: Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC) and LAHDC-Leh. These councils address micro governance issues for the region, which has a population of 2.74 lakh as per the 2011 census.

Over the last two years, both the socio-political entities of Leh and Kargil have initiated street protests against the Union Territory status without a legislature. The two districts have collaborated to launch a significant campaign advocating for the restoration of Statehood, coupled with the establishment of a legislature. Historically, Ladakh used to contribute four members to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and two members to the State's legislative council.

Furthermore, there is a unanimous call for special status under the Sixth Schedule and Article 371 of the Constitution of India, mirroring the provisions granted to states like Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, and other northeastern states. Residents of Ladakh argue that allowing the region to be open to outsiders and external investments could adversely affect the most ecologically fragile and sensitive areas.