Buddhist assn to consult experts on safeguarding identity of Ladakh

Our Correspondent

Leh, February 2

Amidst growing concerns over the threat to culture, identity and ecology in the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh post abrogation of Article 370, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) in collaboration with the All-Ladakh Buddhist Association have started consultations with constitutional experts to chalk out available options in the Indian Constitution to uphold the interest of the region.

The LBA is an organisation, which had earlier spearheaded the movement in support of the Union Territory for Ladakh.

Vikram Hedge, who is a practicing litigator in the Supreme Court,has been invited by the LBA to talk on various available constitutional safeguards for the tribal people, conducted two sessions for stakeholders of Ladakh.

Association vice-president Rinchan Namgyal said , “In the first consultative discussions, the Central Working Committee members of the LBA and All Ladakh Gonpa Association have attended and discussed in detailed with the constitutional expert about all options of constitutional safeguards, including the Sixth Schedule of the constitution.”

Namgyal further said after a series of internal meetings with political parties, religious organisations, and all other stakeholders of Ladakh about the need of constitutional safeguards, the consultative discussion with the constitutional experts was being held on the basis of consensus recommendation of a series of meetings held at different points of time.

The LBA also planned to invite two more experts to Leh in the coming days.

The vice-president also said the course of action and concrete demand regarding constitutional safeguards would be taken soon with the consensus of all religious communities and political parties.