KDA begins Three-Day Hunger Strike in Kargil for Statehood, Sixth Schedule demand

Kargil, Aug 09: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) an amalgam of several political, religious, social and trade bodies spearheading the agitation along with the Leh Apex body over the past several years in support of their demands begin their already announced a three-day hunger strike here on Saturday to press for their unresolved demands including the statehood for Ladakh , 6th Schedule , Separate Parliamentary seats for Kargil and Leh besides a full-fledged Public service commission.

Leaders of Leh Apex Body (LAB) have also been requested to join the protest and send a message to the Central Government that the people of Ladakh will not stay silent on their “genuine” demands.

The protest, organised jointly by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body (LAB), is being held at Hussani Park. The two groups have been leading the agitation for the past five years and have held several rounds of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ high-powered committee (HPC).

Holding banners written, “ Together, we can build a future where Ladakh governs Ladakh.” Protesters carried placards with slogans such as “End colonial treatment, restore democracy” and “Statehood – Sixth Schedule and strong Ladakh.”

KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said the strike was part of their ongoing movement. “Our most basic demand is statehood and the Sixth Schedule. Despite repeated assurances, there has been no concrete discussion on these issues. The government is deliberately delaying talks,” he alleged. Karbalai recalled that in May, the HPC chairman, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, and the home secretary had promised discussions would start the following month. “Nothing has happened so far, forcing us to launch this strike,” he said.

Another KDA leader, Sajjad Kargili, accused the government of failing to honour its promise. “We are protesting peacefully and democratically. This colonial treatment must end, and democracy should be restored in Ladakh,” he said.

KDA co-chairman Qamar Ali Akhoon, Member Parliament Ladakh Mohd Hanifa Jan, CEC Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffar, Former CEC Feroz Ahmad Khan and several other prominent leaders are attending the hunger strike.