Ladakh administration cancels land allotment to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s institute in Leh
Ladakh: The Ladakh administration has cancelled the land allotment to the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the region’s movement for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Wangchuk has condemned the move as a “witch-hunt” aimed at suppressing the demands of the people, as reported by The Tribune on Sunday. The cancellation came a month after BJP leader Kavinder Gupta was appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 (Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas) of the Constitution provides certain protections for land and grants a level of autonomy to designated tribal areas. In Ladakh, more than 97% of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes.
Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk issued an order on Thursday stating that the 135-acre land (1,076 kanal and 1 marla) allotted to HIAL “stands escheated to the state”. This move has sparked anger from Wangchuk and HIAL CEO Gitanjali Angmo, who described it as a deliberate attempt to harass them. They have announced plans to approach the court to contest the decision.
Angmo said it wasn’t the first time the institute was being “targeted” as it began soon after Wangchuk started speaking up for the cause of Ladakh people. “They (authorities) backtracked earlier because we provided them proof,” the report quoted her as saying.
Prominent KDA leader Sajjad Kargili described it as a “deplorable act of political vendetta aimed at silencing Ladakh’s dissenting voices”.
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Kumaraswamy accuses Cong govt of 'neglecting' farmers in Karnataka
Mysuru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of "neglecting" the farmers in the state and being involved in corruption.
The JD(S) leader took part in an event where President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli in Mandya district, which comes under his Lok Sabha constituency.
"I saw a report that 2,800 farmers have died by suicide after this government came to power (in state). The government seems to be not concerned about the farmers. This government on coming to power said that it will give Rs 24,000 crore as loan to 32 lakh farmers for their farming activities, but till November, about Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to 24 lakh farmers, limiting to what was there earlier by managing the books of account," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "These things show the failures of this government. Also, there is a corrupt system. I will not speak about it now. After December 20, I will speak to you in detail. There are a lot of issues to share with you."
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Responding to a question, the JD(S) leader, who turned 66 today, said there is no use of giving any documents. "I'm waiting for the right time."
Regarding the Congress government introducing a bill against "hate speech" in the Assembly, Kumaswamy said it is aimed at silencing the opposition in the state, but they won't be successful.
"What do Congress leaders have to say about their workers' comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi?. He cited slogans -- 'Modi teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi's grave will be dug.. if not today, then tomorrow) -- allegedly raised against Modi at a Congress rally in Delhi on Sunday.
