Ladakh:
The Fear Factor
By Stanzin Dawa
30 September, 2006
Countercurrents.org
Couple
of weeks ago I had a telephonic conversation with one of my Ladakhi
friend who is a professional journalist. We have discussed about different
issues related to Ladakh ranges from culture, language, development
and politics. Interestingly most of our conversations were whirl-wind
over the existing political situation of Ladakh. I have asked her to
write on the Political Turmoil of Ladakh. After a pause she said "it's
not easy to write on political issues in Ladakh because people easily
maligned and affiliate you with certain political ideology or parties"
The "Fear Factor" of being victimized and stigmatized in the
mind of people is an indication of threat for democracy.
Media is considered to be
the fourth pillar of the democracy. How we can expect a strong, dynamic
and resilient democracy if people are living with a fear to express?
I don't see any significance in the freedom that doesn't allow you to
express yourself freely, fearlessly and truthfully. I can understand
one's freedom has to accommodate with the freedom of others. What's
the use of that freedom in which we are living with a fear to express
ourselves? Freedom comes with a great responsibility, a responsibility
to protect social harmony, secularism, democracy, human rights, gender
equity and of course freedom to raise the right issue at the right time.
The foundation of all the education is Fearlessness, I repeat this is
the foundation or you can say the beginning but of course not the end.
If we are living with "Fear Factor" and avoid our freedom
to express than it's the suicidal of our education, our humanity, our
democracy, our religion, our peace of mind. Freedom should accommodate
the freedom to make mistakes; otherwise it has no meaning at all. Either
the journalist/s is/are fears of making mistakes or the politics is
fearful to allow the freedom to express. As we know that we all are
imperfect in one way or other (either you accept it or not) but we strives
to live perfectly because we all have a common concern to be happy as
His Holiness Dalia Lama preaches and practices (Must read the Art of
Happiness by His Holiness Dalia Lama & Howard C Cutler).
I have discussed with many
concerned Ladakhi about the potential threats and impacts of the existing
conflict between LUTF and Congress over Ladakh's development and integrity,
goals and vision, peace and harmony, UT and autonomy. Many people with
whom I have discussed were affiliated with either of one political party.
They have their own logics and philosophies for the causes of conflict
but everyone subscribed to the idea that ultimately it's the people
who are suffering. Why people should suffer? What are their faults?
When parents in the family fights or get divorced it affects the child's
development and personality, similarly if the leaders bully each other
it affects the whole region's development and integrity as its affecting
now…
In democratic system differences
are bound to evolve. In fact democracy is such a beautiful and inclusive
system it accepts and imbibes the differences provided if the leaders
and people take it in a healthy way. I am least concerned with the breaking
down of the LUTF, but I am indeed very much concerned about the unhealthy
political differences and bullying culture. I am not at all affiliated
with any political party but of course very much affiliated with the
people's politics. Every concerned Ladakhi must be affiliated with the
people's politics that is beyond the prejudices of parties, regions
and religions.
"Society is not bad
because of bad people but because of good people who are scattered and
unorganized" said, Shiv Khera. I think the time has come for the
leaders from both the parties to think over the resolution of the conflicts
in a healthier and peaceful way to work together while accepting the
differences if not unite together. The history of Ladakh has a tradition
of outsiders dividing Ladakh and ruled over us, if we not resolve this
conflict it would be first in the history of Ladakh where Ladakhis are
dividing each other and putting everything on the plate for outsiders
to rule and govern us. I am sure we will not let it happen, more significantly
our dear leaders will not let it happen. Let's collectively eliminate
the fear factor for ever…
For a united Ladakh
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