Ladakh tense, Buddhists marching for Monastery whereas Muslims opposing it
| 14-Jun-2022 |
Communal tension is taking over Ladakh following a march by Buddhists, demanding for the construction of a Gompa (monastery) on a 2-Kanal land in Kargil that was allocated to the minority Buddhist community by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir in 1961.
Buddhist spiritual and religious leader Choskyong Palga Rinpoche of Ladakh is leading an 'Eco Pad Yatra' which was started from Leh towards Kargil on May 31 and has reached Mulbek, a Buddhist centre near Kargil. He aims to lay foundation stone of Monastery on the alloted site. Though the land was allocated for the Monastery, the then-government of J&K changed the use of land allegedly under the pressure of the local Muslim population and halted the construction of the Gompa. However, a section of Muslims has raised objections to the 'Pad Yatra'.
Buddhist Community condemned speeches by Islamists:-
On June 11, Ladakh Buddhist Association (Kargil) held a meeting, and all members of the Buddhist community unanimously decided to extend support to the march. The Youth Wing of LBA is providing support to the march in terms of boarding, lodging and other preparations. During the meeting, they condemned the provocative and threatening speeches and statements made against the proposed Monastery by Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT), Kargil, and Islamia School, Kargil.
In a statement, LBA said, “Everyone strongly condemned the provocative and threatening speeches given by IKMT, Kargil and Islamia School, Kargil heads which were purely done with an intention to provoke common people and the youths in order to disrupt the peaceful environment as well as create a Law and Order situation in Union Territory of Ladakh.”
Muslim bodies are against the March:-
Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) had written to the District Magistrate, Kargil, opposing the march led by Choskyong Palga Rinpoche. In its letter, KDA claimed that the march was politically motivated and pointed out that it was led by a monk of Tibetan origin. They also claimed that the intention of the march was to disturb the communal harmony and peace in the area.
The KDA has held a meeting with representatives of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) regarding the issue of construction of a Gompa (monastery) in Kargil. Both bodies agreed that the issue must be resolved amicably.
Skarma Dadul, president of LBA Kargil, claimed that the Buddhists are not allowed to build a monastery in Kargil. "We don't want to create any tension, but it is our right to have a proper place of worship," he said.
While the Buddhists want to construct a monastery on a 2-kanal land, the Kargil residents oppose it citing 1969 a government notification, as per which the land can be used for commercial and residential purposes and a temple cannot be built. Since then, the Buddhists of Kargil have been fighting for their right to a proper place of worship.
The locals who oppose the construction of Gompa have claimed that no Buddhists live within a 20 KM radius of the allotted land. They further said the building that stands on the land is a guest house for Buddhists, and it should remain a guest house only. On the other hand, the Buddhists said that the locals do not allow even the repair work at the already-standing building. A meeting was held between KDA and LBA on May 26, where it was decided that the stakeholders would decide over the matter if Gompa could be allowed or not.