Jammu: An apparent clash of egos and widening differences between senior Ladakhi leader ThupstanChhewang and activist Sonam Wangchuk has brought internal tensions within the Leh Apex Body (LAB) into the open, raising concerns over the unity of the movement seeking constitutional safeguards and statehood for Ladakh ahead of crucial talks with the Centre.
Addressing separate press conferences in the last couple of days, both leaders reiterated support for the demands of Sixth Schedule safeguards and statehood, but sharply differed over the strategy to pursue them and the functioning of the Apex Body.
Responding to Chhewang’s recent remarks, members of the Apex Body Leh along with Wangchuk asserted that the movement for constitutional safeguards was launched collectively and represented all communities of Ladakh. They said every member associated with the agitation had consistently worked for the welfare of Ladakh and its people.
The Apex Body leaders questioned why concerns regarding Buddhist interests were being raised now despite Chhewang himself having spearheaded the movement for Sixth Schedule safeguards and statehood. They maintained that diluting the core demands would be unfair to those who had participated in and sacrificed for the agitation.
They also clarified that discussions on alternatives such as Article 371 provisions and a legislature for Ladakh had taken place collectively before meetings with the Ministry of Home Affairs and were not unilateral decisions. Rejecting allegations that draft proposals submitted during talks with the Centre had been prepared solely by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), they said the drafts were discussed collectively and had also been shared earlier with Chhewang.
Refuting claims of exclusion, the Apex Body leaders said all members, including Chhewang, were regularly informed about meetings through a common communication platform. They also denied allegations involving religious leaders and monastery representatives, stating that all meetings had been conducted transparently.
Expressing concern over the growing divisions among Ladakhi leaders, Wangchuk termed the situation “unfortunate” and warned that internal conflicts were diverting attention from critical issues such as land protection, environment and constitutional safeguards. He alleged that attempts were being made to divide Ladakhi leadership and weaken the larger movement.
Wangchuk also rejected allegations regarding foreign funding, saying funds received by him over the years had been utilised for welfare activities in remote areas of Ladakh. Referring to his arrest during the agitation, he said the movement had involved major sacrifices and cautioned against reducing the struggle merely to domicile-related issues.
Meanwhile, Chhewang defended his stand, saying he had distanced himself from Apex Body activities over the past one to two years due to health reasons as well as differences over the organisation’s functioning. He alleged that the Apex Body, initially formed as an apolitical platform for constitutional safeguards after the abrogation of Article 370, had gradually come under outside influence and political agendas.
Questioning the Apex Body’s authority to remove him from membership, Chhewang said the controversial “Zen meeting” had been organised at the request of Buddhist groups concerned about community interests.
He strongly rejected Wangchuk’s allegation that outside funds were used to sponsor the meeting and countered by alleging that Wangchuk himself had received foreign funds in the name of Ladakh.
Chhewang further claimed that the Apex Body appeared to have become diluted after Wangchuk’s entry into the organisation. While reiterating support for Sixth Schedule safeguards and statehood, he said the present political reality suggested that these demands were unlikely to be fulfilled under the current BJP-led government at the Centre.
In such circumstances, he argued that Ladakh should negotiate for interim safeguards under Article 371 or a model similar to Sikkim, including legislative provisions, while continuing to pursue the larger demands. He maintained that a “middle ground” was necessary as six years of rigid positions had yielded little progress.
Referring to the recent domicile provisions for Ladakh, Chhewang said sustained negotiations had at least enabled local youth to apply for jobs and helped initiate recruitment processes. He also stressed the need for broader and balanced representation in future talks with the Centre, including equal participation from Buddhists and Muslims, political parties and representatives from all newly created districts.
Chhewang further said he would consult the five founding members of the Apex Body Leh to decide whether amendments were needed in the organisation’s functioning or whether the body should be dissolved altogether.
