Visit of National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi to Leh. Duration: 2nd to 9th Sept., 2013. 2nd Sept., 2013 (03.00 PM) Member Shri TN Shanoo arrived at Leh in the morning by Air and held discussion with Chief Executive Councillor, Leh regarding visit of Chairman, NCM to Leh and regarding arrangement to be made for holding seminar on ``Problems of Minority Women of Ladakh Region``. At 5.00 PM a meeting was held in the Hotel Grand Dragon and following prominent women representatives of various communities were present.:- 1) President and Members, Women Wing of Ladakh Buddhist Association, Leh. 2) President and Members, Women Wing of Anjuman Imamia, Leh. 3) President and Members, Women Wing of Anjuman Moinul-Islam, Leh. 4) President and Members, Women Wing of Christian Association, Leh. 5) President and Members, Women Alliance, Leh. 6) President & Members, Mahila Mandal, Leh 7) Lady Councillor, Leh. 8) Lady Members, Women Empowerment, Jammu and Kashmir and many others. Detailed discussion was held regarding arrangements & other details of the seminar to be held at Leh on 6th Sept., 2013. 3rd Sept., 2013 Discussion was held with the Presidents of various community organisations regarding visit of Chairman, NCM, New Delhi to Leh-Ladakh on 4th September, 2013. 4th September, 2013 Chairman and Secretary, NCM were received at Leh Air Port by - 1) Member, NCM 2) President & Members, Ladakh Buddhist Association, Leh 3) President and Members, Anjuman Imamia, Leh. 1
4) President and Members, Anjuman Moinul-Islam, Leh. 5) President and Members, Christian Association, Leh. In the afternoon Chairman, NCM visited Shanti Stupa and Sindhu Ghat. 5th September, 2013 Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) Chairman, Member and Secretary, NCM visited L.B.A. where a warm welcome was given by offering Khatak to all the dignitaries by the President and office bearers of L.B.A. The first meeting was held with President and Members of Ladakh Buddhist Association in which about 30 members were present in the chamber of President, L.B.A. Following points were raised by the President, L.B.A. during the meeting. 1) Union Territory status to Ladakh. This was the principal demand of the participants, on which a separate Memorandum was received. 2) Handing over of Bodh Gaya Management to Buddhists. 3) Inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule of Constitution of India. 4) Harassment to Buddhists in Zanskar Sub-Division of Kargil District. 5) Extension of NCM Act, 1992 to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. 6) Deemed University status to Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (C.I.B.S.), Leh. 7) Withdrawal of guards attached with the H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa who is next to the H.H. Dalai Lama in the Buddhist religious hierarchy. Chairman, NCM in his address assured the gathering that every effort will be made to fulfil the demands mentioned by President, L.B.A. within the mandate given to the Commission by the NCM Act, 1992. He also assured the gathering that NCM will take up the issues with the Central Govt. for restoring the appropriate security level to the H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa as per his stature. 2
Several questions were put by the Members to the Chairman, NCM regarding the NCM Act, 1992 and other issues mentioned. Secretary, NCM was also present in the above meeting. Visit to the Anjuman Moinul-Islam President and Members of the Anjuman Moinul-Islam, who represent the Sunni Muslim community of Leh, received Chairman, Member and Secretary, NCM in the office of the organisation. A number of problems were narrated to the Chairman, NCM by the President of the organisation. The demands of the Anjuman Moinul Islam were as follows: (i) (ii) (iii) The Sunni Muslim community has no representation in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) as there is no Council Constituency created for the purpose. The main area of concentration of the community, viz. Leh Town has been divided to create two Council Constituencies of Upper Leh and Lower Leh by clubbing some outlying localities with each to gain suitable size. They suspect that this is a motivated act to deny the Sunni Muslim community a Council Constituency by virtue of its population in Leh Town Area. On the other hand, they alleged that some Council Constituencies have been created for even very small population pockets with the stated aim of providing representation to isolated areas/communities in the Council. Even on this analogy, they argue, the Sunni Muslim community should have been provided the Leh Town Council Constituency to represent on the LAHDC. Under the LAHDC, the council constituencies are greatly benefited by various developmental initiatives and constituency development funds available to the elected Councillors who also have tremendous clout and means to nurture their constituencies. Such rights and privileges are not available to the Sunni Muslims as they cannot send an elected councillor to the LAHDC. This major deficit takes away from the community the right to be represented in the democratic institution created for self-governance. 3
(iv) In view of the above points, he Council appealed for creation of a Leh Town Constituency by delimitation/ reorganization of the Upper and Lower Leh constituencies, so that the Sunni Muslim Community can play a major role in electing the Councillor to this constituency to represent the community on the LAHDC. They also pleaded for voting rights being given to nominated Councillors. A major complaint of the Anjuman was that in 2004, the LAHDC had allotted to the Anjuman Moinul Islam the site of the old Diesel Power House, Leh. The Allotment was made as part of an agreement under which the Sunni Muslim community had given its consent for allotting the old Tehsil building site to the Ladakh Buddhist Association while the Anjuman Moinul Islam was to be allotted the said Power House site. Both allotments were made by concurrent orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Leh and token possession of the concerned sites was handed over to the respective allottees. But while the Ladakh Buddhist Association took over the allotted property without any hitch, the Power House site was never vacated by the District Administration / J&K Power Development Department and the land has not been handed over to the Anjuman. They therefore appealed for restoration of the allotment and physical possession of the said land to develop as a resource base to sustain their social welfare and educational program. Visit to the Anjuman Imamia We met the President and Members of the Anjuman Imamia, which represents the Shia Muslim community of Leh in the office of their organization. The president, Anjuman Imamia gave a warm welcome and expressed his gratitude for the visit undertaken by the Commission to the office and to Leh in general. Though they have not submitted any memorandum they did request the Commission to take necessary steps for extending the NCM Act, 1992 to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Some members put questions regarding Pre Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships to the students. In his address Chairman responded to all the questions raised by the President and others. 4
Afterwards Chairman visited Doordarshan, Leh where he was interviewed, which was telecast on 6th Sept. 2013 evening. A representation was received from casual workers of DDK Leh, who have been engaged on an n assignment basis for over 12 years, seeking recommendation for their job adjustment. The casual assignees of DDK, Leh appealed to either be absorbed permanently or adjusted suitably. This is being separately taken up with Prasar Bharati Visit to the Moravian Mission School, Leh After the Doordarshan visit, the Commission visited the Moravian Mission School, Leh to meet Christian community members. The Principal, Moravian Mission School, Leh Father Gergen, and members of the Christian Community received the Commission in the campus of the School. A Memorandum of the Christian community received from them is being forwarded to the Government of J&K. This includes stronger political representation. However, the community also complained that the students studying in cities of Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi have difficulties in admission, accommodation and funding for their studies. They also pleaded for concession in Air fare. The main demand raised during this meeting was that of their Representation in the Hill Council, Leh. Likewise priority in recruitment to the State and Central Services to the Christian Community of Ladakh, Reservations in the Colleges and Professional Colleges in Delhi for admission and Hostel accommodation for Christians of Ladakh. Their demand also includes that considering the remoteness of the region and strategic importance, the Govt. should subsidise air travel fare for all Ladakhis for the Leh-Jammu, Leh- Srinagar and Leh-Delhi sectors. 6th Sept., 2013 Member, NCM and other representative of the women s wing of various communities welcomed Ms Mamta Sharma, Chairperson, NCW at the Leh Air Port. Meeting with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh 5
At 10.00 AM Chairman, Member and Secretary, NCM visited Hill Council, Leh. The Chairman, Hill Council (L.A.H.D.C.), Leh. Executive Councillors and Deputy Commissioner, Leh were present in the meeting. The following points were raised by the C.E.C. 1) Extension of NCM Act, 1992 to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. 2) Handing over of the management of Bodh Gaya Temple to the Buddhist community. 3) Inclusion of the Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. 4) Speedy Implementation of Multi- Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP). 5) Deemed University status to the C.I.B.S., Leh. 6) Withdrawal of guards attached with H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa who is next to the H.H. Dalai Lama in the Buddhist religious hierarchy. Detailed discussion were held on the above mentioned subjects with the Chairman, L.A.H.D.C., Leh and also about the problems being faced by minority communities in Leh i.e. Muslims both Shia and Sunni and Christians. The Chairman, L.A.H.D.C., Leh assured that demands of Muslim to allot land at the suitable location would be fulfilled in the shortest possible time. District Development Commissioner explained the system in operation for the disbursement of pre-matric and post matric scholarships. He informed the meeting that Leh was one of the districts chosen for operationalizing Direct Cash Transfers under these schemes, and considerable progress has been made in this regard. Inadequate awareness among sections of the minorities in Leh, as we had been informed in our community meetings in this regard, was brought to his notice, and he assured rectification through mobilisation of Tehsildars. Since a number of complaints of waterlogging despite scant water supply had been received by the NCM on its visit, Secretary, NCM Shri Surjit Chaudhury, who was in charge of Urban Development, Govt. of Tamilnadu during his past posting explained in detail about a possible drainage system to be undertaken in Leh city. Other minority community problems regarding the representation of seat in Hill Council and Municipal Council were also discussed. 6
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh submitted a copy of a letter addressed by their Chairman Shri Rigzin Spalbar presented to Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal in which they have pleaded for inclusion of the Bhoti Language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India and promotion of the language through national bodies like Sahitya Academy and the National Book Trust. This being the predominant language in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir State both in the district of Leh and through its ancient linkages with the Balti language also of the district of Kargil, and a language spoken widely by tribal Buddhists communities in Himachal Pradesh and North East who have complained to the Commission even more acutely than the Ladakhis of the lack of facilities for its propagation, this plea is strongly supported by the NCM. The Chairman had also written to Minister, Culture vide his letter No. SEL/DB/4459-62 dated 4.9.2013 for release of Rs. 180.07 l for the completion of the Dharma Centre, Choglamsar, Leh. The Ministry is requested to do this without delay to enable the Council to use the remaining season to compete the work before the onset of the next tourist season, when a major Kalachakra is planned for Leh. Visit to the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (C.I.B.S.), Leh. The Director, Professors and Lecturers along with other staff members and entire students accorded a very warm welcome to the Commission. The Director, C.I.B.S., Leh specially come from New Delhi to Leh to attend this function. In his welcome speech Director, C.I.B.S., Leh thanked Chairman for taking keen interest in upgrading the status of C.I.B.S., Leh to Deemed University status, the principal demand of the Institute and the Buddhist community of Leh. In his address Chairman assured the gathering that all efforts will be made to fulfil the demands raised and told the audience that Secretary, NCM will personally examine the papers submitted to the U.G.C. by C.I.B.S. and he will personally meet the Chairman, U.G.C. to expedite the matter. SEMINAR ON ``Problems of Minority Women of Ladakh Region`` 7
At 1600 PM SEMINAR ON ``Problems of Minority Women of Ladakh Region`` started in presence of Chairman, NCM, Chairperson, NCW, Member and Secretary, NCM. Likewise C.E.C., Leh, all the Ex. Councillors and Councillors were present. Prominent women representatives of various communities participated in the seminar. The following participated in the seminar on problems of minority women in Ladakh:- Dr. Dolma Ms Zara Bano Ms Fatima Bano Ms Tadzin Joldan Ms Tsering Angmo Ms Ranchmen Angmo Madam Sarla Tsewang Representative of Women s Wing LBA Representative of Women s Wing, Anjuman Imamia Representative of Women s Wing, Anjuman Moinul-Islam Representative of Women Wing. Christian Community Lady Councillor, LAHDC, Leh Representative of Ladakh Women s Alliance Mahila Mandal Leh The seminar was very well organized and fruitful. It also provided women of Leh from different communities the rare opportunity to socialise and, as can be seen from the noting below, realise the common challenges faced by women of Leh of all communities. Ms Mamta Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Govt. of India, New Delhi delivered an inspiring speech to motivate the women present in the programme. In her speech she appreciated the harmonious family and social atmosphere which exists in the Ladakh region in case of women. The prominent features of this are absolute absence of domestic violence, gender discrimination and dowry system. It was noticed her that high standards of equality are being followed by the Ladakhi society in case of women which should be an eye opener for the rest of Indian society and path breaking as well in the present context. Considerable awareness was thus created by apprising the gathering about the mandate and functions of National Commission for Women, of which awareness had been low, by the Chairperson, NCW. This was followed by a Question and Answer session for 45 minutes to satisfy the curiosity expressed by the women participants on the various burning issues. Eight women representative of Women Organisations delivered lectures on the relevant subject. Dr. Dolma 8
representing the Women s Wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association pointed out that the position of women in the society of Ladakh is slightly better than elsewhere, there being rare cases of crime against women. However, women s involvement is not visible in the work done by social service agencies in the villages even though the gender balance in Ladakh is favourable. Elected women do not find place in the Panchayats, Hill Council, the state assembly or in Parliament; no woman has even stood for or one any election thus far. Therefore, she recommended planned participation of women in every element of social and economic endeavour in the District. On the other hand Ms Zara Bano of the Women s wing of the Anjuman Islamia (Al Zohra Women Society) and Ms Fatima Bano of the Women wing of Anjuman Moinul Islam complained that they are not given due recognition or space to function and would like to participate on a much larger scale to help generate income for common folk in Leh. Around 250 prominent lady members of Ladakh participated in this seminar. In addition to Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi and Chairperson, National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi, Chief Executive Councillor, Executive Councillors and Councillors of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Presidents of All the Religious Organisations of Leh, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Leh addressed the seminar. The following issues were highlighted in the seminar:- 1) Reservation for Councillor seats for Women in Ladakh Hill Development Council. It is pertinent to mention here that at present out of 30 councillors only two (2) women Members (nominated) are in the strength of Hill Council. 2) Likewise out of 93 (Ninety Three) Sarpanch not even a single Women is Sarpanch. 3) Lack of proper Health and Education facilities in the far flung areas of Ladakh. This issue figured prominently as it is directly related to the healthy survival of women, whose life expectancy in Leh is low. 9
4) Various Women Self Help Groups (S.H.G.s) in Ladakh which are functioning in a very difficult situation in Ladakh need to be empowered at the earliest by contributing the matching grants to these groups from the Govt. side. 5) Thousands of girl students, from Ladakh, are pursuing their higher studies in different streams of education like Vocational Courses and Degree Courses in various cities like New Delhi, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Jammu and Srinagar. In the absence of proper and suitable accommodation/ hostel facilities all these girl students are facing much hardship and experiencing lack of conducive academic atmosphere hampering their educational progress. Special Reservation Quota in the Colleges and Hostels is to be earmarked in the present strength of the available Hostel facilities in various educational institutions in the above mentioned cities for the Ladakhi girl students to facilitate their pursuing of studies. 6) A Specialized Coaching Centre is to be instituted for Girl students from Ladakh to prepare for the Civil Services Examinations well equipped with Books and other study material. 7) The demand was also raised by the participants to launch Special Recruitment Drive for the Women for the recruitment in Para-military Forces. It was unanimously mentioned that the aspiring candidates are ready to serve in anywhere in India during their service period if given an opportunity to serve with such national forces. 8) The demand for the Nodal Agency / Facilitation Centre/ Counselling Centre at New Delhi was also strongly raised as Ladakhi women visiting New Delhi used to face number of problems like communication and absence of proper guidance for availing medical treatment facilities and educational facilities. Overall it can be said that this seminar was a morale booster and educating the women of Ladakh on the issues brought on the forefront by Chairperson, NCM and Chairman, NCW, Govt. of India, New Delhi. It was evident from the enthusiasm shown by the participants that in the near future some sort of concrete action would be taken related to the issues raised by the women participants with special reference to the Women Welfare and Women Empowerment. The Commission hopes that this seminar will prove a milestone to inculcate a feeling of self confidence in the minds of women participants from Leh. In conclusion, the problems and 10
questions raised by the participants regarding the local problems concerning the Hill Council were ably answered by the Chairman, Hill Council very satisfactorily, point by point. Turtuk Petition Interesting petitions were received from the residents of Turtuk of Leh District, Ladakh, who had travelled to Leh to call on the Commission. This township, it may be recalled, became a part of Indian administered territory only with the signing of the Shimla agreement in 1972 having come under Indian control in the war in 1971. The Turtuk area includes Turtuk Youl, Turtuk Farol, Tyakshi, Pachathang, Thang and Chuylunkha. The population is entirely Shia Muslim, like that of district Kargil. The following were the demands in their memorandum submitted to this commission: i) Opening of Turtuk Khapulu road: - Since what they describe as their incarnation in democratic India they expect to enjoy their fundamental rights, but on the other hand a large number of departed family members and relatives are still in northern area POK with still no communication with their relatives. The union Government has taken steps to allow families to meet on either side of LOC. But this policy is restricted to Jammu and Srinagar divisions only and till date residents of Turtuk have not been given a chance to meet divided family members on the either side of LOC though Srinagar Muzzaffarabad road. So their request is to open the Turtuk Khapulu (POK) road to meet the departed families. It might be recalled that Kargil-Skardu was one of the routes proposed for reopening by PM in his dialogue with the Pakistani leadership, of which two stand reopened. ii) Allotment of an MLA seat: - Since their reincorporation in 1971 there has been demand of residents of Turtuk for a separate legislative seat from the 24 reserved quota of the people of POK in the J&K assembly with the plea that they were part of POK prior to 1971. They have made several representations to the state Govt. but with little success. Hence their request for allotment of a legislative seat in J&K assembly for the Turtuk area from the 24 reserved quota of POK. iii) Construction of Turtuk Hanu Road: - The construction of Turtuk Hanu road has been suspended for reasons unknown to residents of Turtuk. The construction was 11
earlier commenced by Border Roads Organization (BRO) and only 12 km span was left to link Turtuk and Hanu. The Turtuk-Hanu road is the alternative to Khardungla which eases the distance to Srinagar by half. It also links Turtuk directly to Kargil. This road seems to be important from the defense point of view also as it shall remain open during winter also. They also submitted an application for financial assistance for running a private English medium school and hospital in Turtuk. There is a detailed proposal seeking assistance of a grand total of recurring and non-recurring expenditure of Rs. 149.06 lakhs. This would seem an excellent proposal which is recommended by the National Commission for Minorities for immediate acceptance by the Government of J&K. A copy will also be submitted to Ministry of Human Resource Development for consideration how the Government of India can help in this endeavour. Recommendations:- 1) Follow up action to be taken by the NCM in case of granting Deemed University Status to CIBS, Leh. 2) Necessary steps to be pursued to extend the NCM Act, 1992 to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. 3) NCM will move GoI to include the Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India; matter needs to be expedited with Ministry of Home Affairs. 4) On the handing over of the management of Bodh Gaya Temple to the Buddhists, an initial step to amend the Bodh Gaya Temple Act 1949 has been taken by the Govt. of Bihar. Follow up action is to be taken up with the Govt. of Bihar. 5) Follow up action is to be taken by the NCM to take up the issues with the Central Govt. for restoring the appropriate security level to the H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa as per his stature. 6) The vital issue of reservation for women @33% in the Panchayat as well as in the Hill Council is to be taken up with the State Govt. of J&K. 12
7) The issue of earmarking quota for the students in the College admission and in Hostel admissions for the students from Ladakh issue is to be taken up with the Ministry of HRD and respective authorities like Govt. of NCT and Administration of U.T. Chandigarh for providing conducive academic atmosphere to the Ladakhi students. 8) To approach Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration of recruitment of Ladakhi women in the Central Para-Military Forces. Similarly the Memorandum regarding UT status for Ladakh will be forwarded to HM under intimation to CM, J&K. 9) The demands of residents of Turtuk will be taken up on priority with the concerned Departments of GoI and GoJK for early execution, as these are vital to the reintegration of this border area to the mainstream. Chairperson will take up the issue of establishment of an English medium school with the Minister HRD and CM (J&K) (WAJAHAT HABIBULLAH) Chairperson (T. N. SHANOO) Member 13