Press Release
The Socialist Party (India) strongly condemns the recent violence in Ladakh and the continuing failures of the Union Government, holding Union Home Minister Amit Shah directly responsible. His tenure has witnessed grave lapses in national security in sensitive border areas of the country including Manipur, democratic governance, and citizens’ rights.
The Socialist Party (India) demands the immediate resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah on the following counts, successively building up a dangerous situation for the country:
- Irresponsible and reckless statements during the August 2019 dilution of Article 370 bordering on bravado, immediately after which Chinese incursion took place in Galwan for which government was simply unprepared. 20 invaluable lives of our soldiers were lost when there is an agreement between our and Chinese forces that they will not fire at each other.
- Inept handling of Manipur situation resulting in segregation of Meitei and Kuki populations who are not willing to engage in dialogue, forget about living together, two years after the conflict started.
- Serious security lapses in Pahalgam, which had grave consequences for internal security. This was followed by a war with Pakistan for which the country had to pay a price in terms of losses of more human lives and damage to thousands of houses.
- The recent violence and firing in Ladakh, showing the government’s callous disregard for Ladakhi lives. Never before have governments used brute force in Ladakh against our own people.
Given the above baggage and considering that ministerial accountability has to be fixed, a judicial enquiry, which we have been demanding, would be adequately credible only if it is instituted by a new Union Home Minister.
Socialist Party (India) also demands that Ladakh must get full statehood. Ladakh, earlier part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, had elected legislative representation which it lost after separation. If Jammu & Kashmir (minus Ladakh) is being restored to statehood, Ladakh too must not be discriminated against and must receive full statehood.
The claim that “UT status is enough” insults democratic principles and leaves Ladakh at the mercy of arbitrary central decisions.
Along with statehood, a law similar to the PESA Act, 1996 must be implemented in Ladakh to ensure local control over natural resources. Otherwise, as seen in parts of Assam, lands and resources may be allotted to corporate cronies even under the Sixth Schedule.
The Party also demands a minimum assured parliamentary representation of 3–5 MPs for smaller states and Union Territories to prevent neglect of their interests. A constitutional amendment should be introduced for this purpose.
The Socialist Party (India) firmly believes that democracy cannot survive without accountability.
The injustice to Ladakh, increasing centralisation of power, and erosion of the federal spirit are grave dangers to India’s democracy.
