Phuntsog Nurboo, Nominated Councilor, LAHDC, Leh: If we talk about the existence of casteism in Ladakh, there’s no evidence of it before the king’s era. If we look at history, the first people to have settled in Ladakh are what we call today - Mon, Monyul, and Dard. Later during kings’ rule in Ladakh, people were divided based on their work- and on that basis; these castes came into being in the society. Caste and sub-castes in Ladakh are man-made and started during the rule of kings.

Discrimination based on caste has been there since then- and is existing even today. To deny the nondiscrimination would be wrong as it’s still there but with time especially if we observe around Leh city it’s comparatively a lot better now. People from faraway places get settled here and are too busy to think about these social stigmas or let them function in society. Nevertheless, in villages, some sort of discrimination seems to be there.

This discrimination can be seen in various forms. Villages with a lesser household-less population seem to have a higher occurrence of discrimination and vice versa. According to people “Lakshes” people who migrated from Lahaul Spiti first got settled near Mane Sermo in Leh. Past practices such as performing certain duties in the village were compulsory, and people did take up the tasks. Forefathers did their duties in society however if the new generation will take up the tasks- it’s debatable and not necessary since the importance of education has become a priority today. Secondly, we all have seen discrimination based on seating arrangements. Likewise, we see on the arrival of ministers or big dignitaries they are made to stand in front but at any function/occasion, we see them being made to sit at the end. Earlier some customs and practices were worse but with time it has vanished or decreased drastically.

Although I’m not a historian – but as far as I know there are few subcastes. Garba was originally called ‘Zopa’- one who is skilled in metalwork. Various utensils that we can find in the Ladakhi kitchen, as well as the artistic prayer wheel, are works of them. Their contribution to Ladakhi society in the sense of preserving the culture is immense. ‘Lakshes’ as I said earlier were people who migrated from Lahaul Spiti, their performing as musicians seems to be a tradition since time immemorial. This practice was considered very low and had been confined to a duty that was to be performed only by them in earlier times. Today the mindset has changed, rather they are being appreciated today, Council on today’s date provides various subsidies to them. Today everyone seems to be appreciating their art and skill and learning how to play musical instruments as well. Mon – if we see most seem to be skilled carpenters during the king’s rule and was the first settlers in Ladakh.

Today we are blessed by our religious heads, and spiritual leaders, and through their teaching we understand that there’s no such thing as castes in Buddhism. Yet it is unfortunate that people’s practice is opposite to their teachings. This is prevalent in Hinduism so much so that Dr. B.R Ambedkar, father of the Indian constitution had to convert to Buddhism- after observing the nonexistence of this system in Buddhism. Notwithstanding that, the existence of such practices of discrimination in our culture as Buddhists is disgraceful. I see parents mostly hide their origin from children which is wrong because there’s nothing to be shameful about. The discrimination that they face is man-made and not something they are born with. Casteism which people even leaders talk about was not there in Ladakh, it is some sort of discrimination based on the duties given in the society that came into existence much later. If casteism was there, why didn’t we get scheduled caste instead of scheduled tribes? We see celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti in Ladakh mostly focusing on these few people which should not be the case. It is solely a celebration of Dr. BR Ambedkar as a person, his achievements, and his immense contribution to Indian society.

Solutions:
•    We must know that casteism as a thing was not embedded in Ladakhi society, discrimination on the practices and customs came into existence much later. To have that awareness and not be timid about one’s origin is of utmost importance.
•    To overcome such social stigmas, educating ourselves as well as our children on it is the main weapon.
•    Although such practices are almost vanishing from society, yet to those who are still following and if some sort of discrimination is taking place – just going to the monasteries and listening to the teaching is not enough. We have to abide by the teachings also. 

Khenpo Konchok Rigzin, Administrative Officer, CIBS: The society of Ladakh - from Zojila to Demchok we see that people settled were mostly Buddhists, later in around 14 AD Muslims got settled, and with the coming of Christian missionaries, Christianity was spread in the region. Due to the rugged terrain of the region, people seldom traveled earlier, and we see from our forefathers that the farthest they have traveled is Kullu/Manali region. There was no practice of any form of caste in the beginning, certain practices emerged much later with the migration of people from these regions. Such practice in our society is solely man-made and not something that was embedded. According to experts, the caste system in Hinduism is also something that is man-made. In certain Buddhist commentaries, there are certain references to the caste system of Hindus. People who came from the Kullu Manali region started settling in Ladakh, and since they were outsiders – natives started differentiating the settlers from themselves and discrimination followed with it.

Similarly, the high class in the society – Gyapo (king), Lonpo (ministers), and their families is also not something preached by Buddha or mentioned anywhere in Buddhist texts. The settlers that we mentioned earlier- today are categorized as Garba/lakshes- It is strange why this particular group of people was considered as another sub-caste because they are very skilled craftsmen. Beda/mon are descendants of people who settled in Ladakh from Kullu/Manali and due to differences in people later they were reduced to another caste and some sort of discrimination started taking place. It is important to learn that their major contributions to Ladakhi society are traditional music and instruments. 
 
Lord Buddha has preached not to blindly follow his teachings but to research them, and if certain things are not benefiting humankind, then it's better to quit following that path. Through his teachings, we understand that all sentient beings on this planet are equal and one. One of his sutras mentioned the absence of caste in any form. It's our present deeds and actions (good or bad) that differentiate us from others. A child born in a family of Mon can be a great human being and serve the society whereas a child born in a family can also be the opposite of that. So to have that ill will in mind and judge a person based on their caste is I suppose the worst thing we can do as humans.  

Earlier the practices of differentiating them in society were extreme for eg usage of different cups for tea, chang, etc. One of the reasons for this narrow-mindedness can be blamed on the lack of education during those times. Today we see a lot of change because more people are getting educated and are also busier. No one will have time to practice certain customs in the army, educational institutions, or any other workplace and it will be constitutionally wrong to practice it as well. Everyone eats and sits together. The certain discrimination we observe in our society now is for eg- prohibiting inter-caste marriages, we also see this during occasions to a degree.  

However, one thing I noticed is various separate associations/ societies being formed by them, which is making their differentiation more visible in society. The intention behind forming might be noble yet it makes the distinction clearer in the society. So instead of doing that, if they can be one with society and focus more on getting a good education seems very important, because once a person is highly educated - people respect that person no matter what their origin.

 In the Indian constitution, there is a provision for ST and SC commissions which need to be amended every 10 years. This need of getting amended was solely kept to benefit those who need assistance. Today due to whatever reason every region wants this status even if they don’t need it, and if this continues the unfair old customs and practices will continue to be there (even if it is in lesser form). So to be united as one and not to this differentiation in any form seems to be a reasonable thing for me because then skipping to a few generations later there won’t be any form of class in society. 

Solutions

•    The practice of differentiating oneself be it - ‘high’ or ‘lower’ classes seems to be the biggest obstacle in getting rid of the narrow-mindedness among people. To be united as an equal human being in society is one of the solutions.

•    Follow the teachings of our great leaders like BR Ambedkar

•    Education- it is indeed the most powerful weapon to any evil of society.