Srinagar, July 26: Senior Ladakh leaders on Sunday reacted cautiously to the agreement between protesting students and the Centre that led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister, saying the move was only a first step and that meaningful change would require deep structural reforms in the education system.
Chering Dorjay Lakruk, President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and Co-Chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), said he was not personally convinced that the resignation would bring any substantive change.
“What difference will the resignation of one person make?” Lakruk told TEHELKA. “Nothing will change unless the entire system is fixed.”
He argued that replacing an individual without overhauling the education system would not address the underlying problems.
“What will this achieve? It won’t achieve anything,” he said. “Until the entire education system is reformed… They say they will change it, but they are not going to do it. They are simply fooling people.”
Lakruk said neither the LBA nor the Leh Apex Body had issued an official statement on the agreement.
“No, no. We have not issued any statement,” he said when asked whether the organisations had formally welcomed the deal.
Meanwhile, Sajad Kargili, Co-Chairman of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), welcomed the accountability reflected in the minister’s resignation but stressed that it should be followed by comprehensive institutional reforms.
“Reforms are essential; they are absolutely necessary. Merely changing faces is not enough,” Kargili said.
“For example, it is good that accountability has been established, but the basic issue is structural reforms.”
He said students should continue pressing for systemic changes rather than treating the resignation as the end of the movement.
“I believe students need to remain vigilant in the same way. They must also continue to push for structural reforms,” he said.
Kargili said the KDA had not yet issued an official statement on the development.
“So far, we have not issued any statement,” he said, while adding that he welcomed the decision alongside the demand for structural reforms.
Asked about climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently ended his fast following the agreement, Lakruk said the Ladakhi leader would return home after regaining his strength.
“Yes, he will return once he is fit,” Lakruk said. “He will need at least a week to recover first. Only then will he be able to travel.”
He said Wangchuk was expected to receive a warm welcome on his return to Ladakh
