A Deceptive Calm

Ladakhi students protesting for Zanskar

W
ith a deceptive normalcy steadily returning to Zanskar’s Padum area where communal riots broke out last month, the minority Muslims are demanding security in the winters when the area remains cut off from the rest of the world. The area was attacked by a mob of majority Buddhists who sought custody of 26 members of the families of six low caste Buddhists (Garbas) who had converted to Islam in a local Masjid on September 24. While one family living in Zangla area returned to Buddhist fold, the five families of Padum refused which resulted in communal clashes between the two groups.

The local Muslim minority led a procession of jubilation in the market which triggered communal tension. Initially, Buddhists enforced a strike and started social boycott of the minority Muslims and the converts. Zanskar Buddhist Association, the main party of the majority community, led a campaign against the conversions. Apart from writing letters, they threatened to carry a larger agitation in case the conversions didn’t stop and accused Muslims of luring the families to Islam, an allegation that the local clergy rejects.

“There are weaker sections in every community. There are lacunas and they are in Ladakh as well. We accept them but that doesn’t mean Sunni Muslims of Zanskar will lure our people in the name of land, money and education,” Dr Tondup Tsewang, president Leh Buddhist Association (LBA) said.

But it is not only Buddhists who have converted to Islam. There have been cases when Muslims from Kargil also changed their religion to Buddhism. “It is not for the first time that low caste Buddhists embraced Islam. It has been happening from a long time. But this time, it has become an issue because 26 people converted at one time and most importantly, council and MP elections are near. But we never made that an issue. LBA is making it a national and political issue to gain votebank,” Sheikh Mohammad Hussain Lotfi, Chairman Imam Khomini Memorial Trust, Kargil, said. more