Ladakh leaders warn of mass agitation if demands ignored in upcoming talks
Kargil: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body (LAB), two main bodies in Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, have jointly issued a strong ultimatum to the Indian government, warning of a mass agitation if their key demands are not addressed in the upcoming meeting in New Delhi.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has scheduled a meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh for May 20 in New Delhi, to be chaired by MoS Home Nityanand Rai, which comes after a prolonged lull since the last round of talks on January 15. The KDA and LAB have been jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of their four-point agenda including statehood, sixth schedule status, dedicated Public Service Commission (PSC) and two parliamentary seats.
Addressing a joint press conference after a crucial meeting in Kargil, LAB and KDA leaders said that New Delhi was deliberately stalling progress on vital issues, including recruitment, reservation, domicile rights, and the establishment of a PSC for Ladakh.
Senior KDA leader Asgar Ali Karbalai voiced frustration over what he described as the Indian government’s lack of sincerity. “We think that they (Indian govt) are not behaving properly with the Ladakhis”. “While a meeting has finally been scheduled after months of silence, we expect concrete resolutions on the issues we’ve raised repeatedly.” He emphasized that statehood and Sixth Schedule status remain non-negotiable demands, hoping that these main issues will also be taken up in the upcoming meeting. “Our approach has always been rooted in dialogue and peaceful negotiation. But our goodwill has not been reciprocated. We are speaking on behalf of Ladakh’s youth, their future, and our fragile ecology—yet the response from New Delhi has been disheartening.”
Karbalai further said that covert efforts were underway to derail the dialogue process, prompting LAB-KDA to unanimously agree on adopting a confrontational approach if the talks yield no tangible outcomes. The upcoming meeting is being viewed as a critical juncture. “If this meeting does not lead to concrete and favorable decisions, we will be forced to mobilize public protests. The patience of the people of Ladakh should not be mistaken for weakness,” Karbalai warned.
In a bid to strengthen coordination, KDA-LAB has resolved to conduct monthly review meetings — either in Leh, Kargil, or online — to remain strategically aligned. While the immediate focus is on youth-centric issues such as recruitment, reservation, and domicile laws, the Ladakh leadership reiterated that the broader demands — including statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule — remain integral to their struggle.
