Drama marks conclusion of Leh to Delhi padyatra

Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who led a month-long padyatra—a journey on foot to draw attention to certain ideas as popularised by M.K. Gandhi—from Ladakh to Delhi was detained by Delhi Police on 30 September at Singhu border crossing between Haryana and Delhi. Wangchuk shared a video on social media where he said. “I am being detained along with 150 Padyatris at Delhi border by a police force of 100s…some say 1,000. Many elderly men and women in their 80s and a few army veterans are with me. Our fate is unknown. We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy…”

The detainment of Sonam Wangchuk and other padyatris was received with protests across the nation. Leader of Opposition in Parliament and senior Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi posted on social media, “The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable. Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future? Modi ji, like with the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be broken, and so will your arrogance. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice.”

In Ladakh, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced a two-day Ladakh Bandh along with protests and rallies in Kargil and Leh towns. Political Activist, Sajjad Hussain said, “The authorities must not push people to the wall by denying them their fundamental right to protest, especially after snatching away so much from the people of Ladakh, including our employment opportunities, land rights, representation, and more. Ladakhis have been deceived by the government and this is yet another betrayal after the events of 5 August, 2019.”

The month-long Delhi Chalo Padyatra was aimed to draw attention to the demands of the people of Ladakh. It was led by Climate Activist, Sonam Wangchuk and supported by LAB and KDA. The peaceful march started from Leh on 1 September and became part of a national campaign to draw the government’s attention to the region’s growing concerns. The main objective of the padyatra was to support the four-point agenda—statehood for Ladakh, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, an additional Lok Sabha seat, and public service commission for Ladakh.

The padyatra covered 25 km each day and reached Delhi on the 30th day after covering over 730 km. Around 12 members from KDA joined the group on 29 September in Chandigarh. After they were detained, protest marches were held in Ladakh by KDA and LAB with support from civil society. The protesters condemned Government of India’s efforts to silence the voices of the peaceful padyatris. The protesters demanded immediate release of the detainees and fulfilment of the demands raised by Ladakhi leaders.

Protestor Murtaza Khalili termed it as a black day for Indian democracy when Government of India quashed the voices of Ladakhis and detained them for raising demands to protect Ladakh. He asserted that the detainees should have been welcomed after a rigorous month-long padyatra, and that the unjust action by Delhi Police has hurt the sentiments of all Ladakhis.

President Youth Congress Kargil, Manzoor Hussain said the action by Government of India is unconstitutional. “Sonam Wangchuk after the culmination of padyatra was going to highlight the demands for safeguards and statehood for Ladakh from Raj Ghat on 2 October, and the government has taken this action deliberately to suppress the demands of Ladakhis so that the nation and the world does not get to know what has been happening in Ladakh over the last five years.”

President District Congress Committee, Kargil, and Councillor in LAHDC, Kargil, Nasir Munshi said Government of India needs to understand the ground realities and challenges of Ladakh. He added, “We will continue our demands for safeguards and constitutional rights for Ladakh. Government of India should not test our patience. We have always protected our borders with Pakistan and China. It is high time that the government changes its policy for Ladakh.”

After the padyatris weredetained, Member of Parliament (MP), Ladakh, Mohmad Hanifa Jan and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC, Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon and other political representatives were also detained. CEC of LAHDC, Kargil, Dr Jaffer Akhoon said, “We were taken in custody by Delhi Police on 1 October with promises that we would be allowed to meet the padyatris, which did not happen. Instead, they detained us at a police station. The BJP-led Government of India has deceived us onceagain as they have in the past.” They were released from detention late in the night of 1 October.

Leh district observed a two-day shutdown on 1 and 2 October. The leadership of BJP, Leh held a press conference on 1 October to express their concerns over these developments and extend support to the demands made by the people of Ladakh. State President of BJP, Ladakh, Phunchok Stanzin said, “On 24 August as requested by the Leh Apex Body we had a meeting and extended support to resuming talks with the government.”

This was echoed by CEC of LAHDC, Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson. He said, “We received the sad news that Delhi Police had detained the padyatris as they entered Delhi. Delhi Police may have a valid reason but this peaceful group had no plans to disrupt peace and would have simply made their way to a hotel or guesthouse. We have written a letter to Delhi Police requesting the immediate release of all the padyatris. A majority of the people are senior citizens, women and students and many of them are unaccustomed to Delhi’s climate and may develop health issues. We have asked Delhi Police to allow them to go to designated areas such as Majnu-ka-Tilla or Buddha Vihar. We also requested Police Commissioner of Delhi to arrange for regular medical checks for those who need medical care. Since, they are also fasting, we requested Delhi Police to ensure their well-being.”

He added, “We have been talking with party leaders in New Delhi. Delhi Police claimed that they have prevented them from entering Delhi as a preventive measure and not to harass anyone. On 2 October, the Prime Minister of India visits Raj Ghat to pay a floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the padyatris would follow the same route. Delhi Police said that they had intelligence inputs that the padyatris may create a nuisance in Delhi and this is why they were barred from entering Delhi. In addition, they said that Singhu border is barricaded due to farmers’ protest with a large presence of police personnel. The Delhi border is sensitive and even Delhi High Court has directed the police not to remove the barricades until they are satisfied. They told us this is not specific for the padyatris.”

He further added that the padyatris did not have permission to enter Delhi as part of their protest. He added, “We were very surprised! They were saying that MP Ladakh would get the permission. Why was he not able to get the permission? He should have told people clearly that they did not have permission to enter Delhi. If he had told us, we could have helped. No one will hinder a peaceful protest. The padyatris were made to walk to the border without permission. So if our people faced difficulties, I would blame MP Ladakh. In fact, I met the MP in Nubra during the Hon’ble President of India’s visit but he did not say anything. Some people are trying to make unnecessary chaos.”

In response, on 2 October, the opposition party in LAHDC, Leh held a press conference. Upper Leh Councillor, Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag stated that Congress party has always prioritised Ladakh be it LAHDC or Scheduled Tribe status. He condemned BJP for blaming MP Ladakh for not securing permission. He added, “When they are released, they [BJP] will also try to take credit for it and claim that they wrote to Police Commissioner of Delhi to secure their release. The BJP has not participated in the Sixth Schedule movement from the beginning, and the people of Ladakh understand this. They need to stop. They often speak of protection, but the people of Ladakh have made it clear that they want Sixth Schedule. It is time for them to unite with the people of Ladakh and demand Sixth Schedule. The time for misleading the people of Ladakh has passed.” Finally, late in the night on 2 October, the detainees were finally released and allowed to pay floral tributes to M. K. Gandhi at Raj Ghat. They were welcomed at Raj Ghat by political representatives, supporters, and members of civil society in Delhi. During the event, Sonam Wangchuk presented a memorandum appealing for resumption of talks with Ministry of Home Affairs within 15 days and permission for the padyatris to meet the President, Prime Minister, or Home Minister.

By Murtaza Fazily

A beacon of hope: Kifayat Hussain

Over the last three months Ladakh has witnessed many ups and downs on account of COVID-19. It started with panic followed by a shortage of essential goods, protests over the stalled evacuation of pilgrims stranded in Iran and quarantine centres across India, and periodic reports of new COVID-19 positive cases in Ladakh. The administration, especially healthcare workers, has been on their toes even as people have remained confined to their homes.

In the midst of this chaos, a Ladakhi teacher has emerged as a beacon of hope for people around the world. In addition to spreading a positive message, Kifayat Hussain has also been trying to break stereotypes and prejudices that people have about COVID-19 and patients who have tested positive for it.

Kifayat is a mathematics teacher at Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School in Leh. He remains very popular amongst his students who are spread across Leh and Kargil districts. His popularity is largely due to his ability to teach mathematics by simplifying complex concepts and his commitment to students and the subject. I have had the privilege of being his student and can personally vouch for each of these qualities that make Kifayat a great teacher. He was very gracious and generous with his time when I called him to discuss his recent experience.

He explained that his life was fairly normal till 3 May. He was following his daily routine and conducting classes online. In early March, Ladakh’s first COVID-19 cases emerged in Kifayat’s village of Chushot in the neighbouring hamlet of Chushot Gongma. A few weeks later, COVID-19 positive cases also emerged in Chushot Yokma, which is Kifayat’s immediate neighbourhood. As a result of these cases, the whole village was declared as a containment zone.

Despite this, Kifayat continued his daily routine of conducting online classes. On 30 April, Kifayat voluntarily decided to the take the COVID-19 test despite not having any symptoms as he wanted to be sure he did not have the virus before he resumed school. Three days later, on 3 May, Kifayat’s test returned a positive result. “After our village was declared a containment zone, I decided to be safe and take the test. On 3 May, I was told that I had tested positive for COVID-19,” he explained. His initial reaction was one of anxiety. “I actually felt a little depressed initially after receiving the test result. I was then admitted to the dedicated COVID-19 ward at Mahabodhi Hospital for isolation and treatment,” he added.

At this point, he felt he had two choices; Respond to these developments with panic and fear, or channelise his energies to achieve something positive. Kifayat chose the latter. On 4 May, he spoke with the management and Principal of Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School, Leh. “They suggested that I continue taking my online classes from the hospital. I was already thinking along those lines as I wanted to remain busy and continue teaching,” he said.

In response to a request from the Principal of the school, the district administration agreed to allow Kifayat to continue his online classes from the hospital. The school ensured that the necessary teaching material was sent to him at the hospital and the medical staff provided the necessary infrastructure Kifayat needed to conduct his online classes.

I could not help but wonder how Kifayat was able to focus his attention and energy on teaching in the midst of all the chaos and fear as well as the physical and mental impact of being COVID-19 positive. He replied, “Teaching has always been close to my heart. I often travel to Kargil to hold free workshops on mathematics. Before I received the test result, I would be conducting online classes from early morning till late evening. This has been my nature and it helped me channel my energies towards more constructive pursuits rather than succumb to negativity and anxiety.”

He then added. “I feel there are a lot of misconceptions about COVID-19 that need to be cleared. I personally believe that this disease is not that dangerous for people who do not have other pre-existing health conditions. If people become more aware then they will voluntarily agree to be tested instead of shying away from it.”

When the news of Kifayat’s test results reached his friends and students, they started reaching out to him. “Initially, I received messages such as ‘Get well soon, Kifayat’ and ‘Take care of your health’. Later, as my teaching videos started to circulate on social media, people started sending me messages appreciating my efforts, encouraging me and giving me virtual pats on my back,” he said. These messages poured in from friends as well as current and former students whom he has taught over the last 12 years.

As the nationwide lockdown curbed people’s normal lives, I asked Kifayat about the importance of finding something to stay busy. He replied that compared to other professions teachers have an added responsibility to continue working as students are directly dependent on them. He added, “We cannot remain in isolation. Our lives and actions as teachers have a direct impact on our students. If we continue working for them, our students will benefit and be engaged in the process of learning. If I decide to just sit and brood, then my students will also suffer. Teachers must keep working even during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain accessible to their students through different channels.”

When asked about his own health, Kifayat said that he is indebted to the hospital staff. “All of them have been very generous, supportive and caring from the very first day. The doctors and the other staff have been very caring and polite. All of them have been diligently carrying out their responsibilities and remain deeply committed to the welfare of their patients. Initially, I was a little apprehensive about how I would pass my time at the hospital. Soon, I did not even realise how time was flying by. The doctors and the hospital staff remain available 24 hours of the day and look into every minute detail.”

He explained that the hospital staff had told him not to count the days at the hospital as he would only make himself miserable. “The mannerisms and the conduct of the medical team at the hospital is a big part of treatment that ensures that patients recover quickly. They are always available and keep checking for any symptom of ill health. We cannot get such care and support anywhere else. They ensured that I received vitamins and other medication as we still do not have a cure for COVID-19,” he added.

I asked him how his family coped with this experience, especially when he was away from home. He replied, “Our family is very important to us. Unfortunately, the misinformation that exists about COVID-19 means that our family members start to panic. Thankfully, in my case they remained calm and supportive throughout this experience. We were able to speak over the phone to ensure that we all stayed positive. However, as a society we need to address the prejudice and misconceptions about COVID-19, which often leads to unnecessary stress and fear. Awareness is important,” he concluded. Kifayat has now tested negative for COVID-19 and has been discharged from the hospital.

Text by Murtaza Fazily

Photograph by Anwar Hussain

Murtaza Fazily is part of the editorial team at Stawa.