Impact of state indifference on ethnolinguistic vitality

Abstract

This paper reports on ethnolinguistic vitality and the impact of state indifference on it among Baltis of Kargil in Ladakh division of former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state in India. The Baltis of Kargil have registered a negative population growth over last three consecutive decades in official records even when the population of district Kargil and former J&K state has been increasing substantially during the period. From 48,498 individuals in 1981, the group has been reduced to 13,774 individuals in 2011. Surprisingly the Purigpa, another ethnic group in Kargil closely related to the Baltis, have registered a substantial decadal growth rate of 114% from 2001 to 2011. Using the cultural autonomy model of ethnolinguistic vitality, the study found the group to be moderately strong in collective group identity and strong in social proximity, however a weak institutional control and a very weak ideological legitimacy reflected in a huge decrease in population of the group in official records is indicative of state indifference, which has weakened the vitality of the group.