Leaders from Ladakh‘s prominent political groups are urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah to engage in direct, decision-making talks during his upcoming visit, asserting that a scheduled sub-committee meeting on May 22 is inadequate to address the region’s long-standing demands. The call for higher-level dialogue comes after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to convene the sub-committee meeting with representatives of agitating Ladakh groups. This meeting, slated for May 22, follows a previous session held in early February, and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been engaged in discussions with the central government since 2021 concerning their four-point agenda, which includes demands for statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure within the LAB, articulated the group’s stance, stating that the impending visit of the Home Minister to Ladakh on April 30, coupled with the announcement of the sub-committee meeting, necessitates a more impactful engagement. Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that Wangchuk, accompanied by LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay and other key members, emphasized that the issues concerning Ladakh have been protracted for the past five to six years and require a definitive resolution. Wangchuk described the Home Minister’s visit as a potential step towards a “meaningful and constructive dialogue.” He further elaborated that discussions at the sub-committee level, typically involving secretaries, do not involve individuals with the authority to make final decisions. This, he explained, raises concerns that even if the May 22 meeting proceeds, four months after the last one, and no concrete decisions are reached, the entire year could pass without any resolution. Consequently, Wangchuk and other members have proposed that given the Home Minister’s presence in Ladakh, he should personally chair a meeting with the LAB and the KDA. Such a meeting, held within Ladakh, would be both feasible and more impactful, he argued. He also recalled that some members who had previously attended meetings in Delhi had been assured by the Home Minister that he would personally chair such discussions and even consider holding them in Ladakh. Therefore, the current visit presents an opportune moment for this to materialize.
Ashraf Barcha, another leader associated with the LAB, conveyed that the group believes there are no significant new issues left to be deliberated at the sub-committee level, as all matters have been thoroughly discussed. He stressed that “now is the time for decisions.” Barcha added that the Home Minister’s visit to Ladakh is a source of great happiness for the people, and this opportunity should be leveraged. He suggested that a joint meeting, chaired by the Home Minister with Ladakh’s leadership under the High-Powered Committee framework, would be highly beneficial and would significantly boost public confidence in the region. Wangchuk also highlighted the critical need for immediate trust-building measures. He specifically mentioned that beyond the revocation of the National Security Act (NSA) against him, there is a necessity to address and rectify the injustices that occurred in September to rebuild public trust. Wangchuk, who was detained under the NSA on September 26 in connection with protests and subsequently released on March 14 after the Union government revoked his detention, called for tangible steps. He proposed that revoking cases and announcing compensation would contribute to fostering confidence among the people prior to the Home Minister’s tour. Chering Dorjay affirmed that the apex body and the KDA are in complete agreement and intend to present a unified voice, excluding those with divergent views. He reiterated that the sub-committee meeting is perceived as entirely meaningless if no decisions can be made and no new points for discussion remain. Dorjay emphasized that their demands, encapsulated in the four-point agenda, are already well-defined. He stated that, at a minimum, the government should clarify its willingness to offer alternatives if statehood or Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh is not on the table. He pointed out that the government has not explicitly stated it will not provide these, leaving the populace uncertain about potential alternative solutions. Responding to inquiries, Dorjay mentioned that the LAB learned about the Home Minister’s visit and the proposed May 22 talks through a tweet by the Lieutenant Governor. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Leh on April 30 for a two-day visit, during which he will pay respects to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima on May 1, according to LG Saxena.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.