In Ladakh, a group of nearly 1,500 Buddhists are protesting in freezing temperatures. They wanted Ladakh to be separate from Indian-administered Kashmir, and the government granted their wish in 2019. However, since 2020, they’ve been protesting often, feeling that the government hasn’t kept its promises.

Ah, the frigid air of Ladakh is not just chilling the bones, but also stoking the fires of protest! In a display of remarkable resilience, nearly 1,500 Buddhists have taken to the streets, or rather the icy tundras, to voice their discontent. It seems that the joy of finally achieving their dream of a separate region from Indian-administered Kashmir has quickly turned sour, leaving them feeling betrayed and abandoned by the powers that be. Oh, the irony of it all—Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s grand gesture in 2019, revoking Article 370 and dividing the state into two, was supposed to bring about a new era of prosperity and unity. Instead, it seems to have unleashed a wave of grievances and unfulfilled promises that would make even the most seasoned politician blush.

But fear not, for the good people of Ladakh are not just protesting for the sake of it. No, they have a laundry list of demands that would make even the most ambitious bureaucrat break into a cold sweat. Statehood, jobs, protection of land and resources, parliamentary seats—oh my, the wishlist seems to go on and on! And let’s not forget their fervent desire for the implementation of the Sixth Schedule, because nothing says “progress” quite like a constitutional provision designed to protect tribal populations from exploitation. Truly, it warms the heart to see such noble aspirations in the face of adversity.

And amidst it all, Ladakh remains a geopolitical hotspot, caught between the territorial ambitions of China and Pakistan, like a pawn on a chessboard. But fear not, dear residents, for your unity shall surely prevail! After all, what better way to get the attention of the powers that be than a good old-fashioned protest in sub-zero temperatures? So bundle up, brave souls of Ladakh, for the journey ahead promises to be long and treacherous. But fear not, for as they say, the frostiest of storms often bring about the warmest of resolutions.