Congress firmly supports Ladakh’s demand for constitutional safeguards: Kharge
Seeks accountability over deaths during September 2025 Leh protests
New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed solidarity with the people of Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their demand for meaningful constitutional safeguards, including inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, to protect the region’s land, employment, fragile environment, culture and identity. He also called for the judicial inquiry into the deaths during protests in Leh last year to establish the truth, ensure accountability and deliver justice.
According to Kashmir Media Service, four people were killed in Indian froces’ firing in Leh on September 24, 2025, during protests over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The circumstances surrounding the deaths are subject to a judicial inquiry.
In a post on X, Kharge said that a year ago, four young people were killed in Leh during the agitation for the democratic and constitutional rights of the people of Ladakh.
“On Martyrs’ Day, we pay our solemn homage to them and stand in complete solidarity with their families,” he said.
“The judicial inquiry into the tragic events of September 24 must establish the full truth, ensure accountability and deliver justice without fear or favour. The people of Ladakh have waited long enough for their legitimate aspirations to be addressed,” he said.
“The Congress party stands firmly with their demand for meaningful Constitutional safeguards, including the Sixth Schedule, to protect Ladakh’s land, employment, fragile environment, culture and identity,” the Congress chief said.
Kharge further said that democracy and representative institutions must be fully restored, and the people of Ladakh must have an effective voice in determining their own future.
Pertinently, people in Ladakh have been demanding statehood and greater constitutional safeguards since the region was separated from occupied Jammu and Kashmir and made a Union Territory following the BJP-led Indian government’s August 2019 decision to revoke IIOJK’s special constitutional status.
