BJP’s land deregulation in Ladakh undermines indigenous rights, fuels demographic change
New Delhi: 
Fresh concerns have been raised over the BJP-led Indian government’s land policy in Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with critics saying recent regulatory changes are undermining indigenous rights, accelerating demographic change and marginalizing the region’s native population.
According to Kashmir Media Service, critics said the Indian government has amended land regulations in Ladakh, stripping indigenous communities of meaningful control over their ancestral land and governance.
They said the abolition of prior approval requirements for construction on small plots has triggered unregulated commercial development on land owned by local residents, while the removal of permanent residency protections following the abrogation of Article 370 in IIOJK has enabled wealthy non-locals to purchase land more easily, raising fears of demographic change in the region.
Observers said real estate expansion without effective local oversight has facilitated fast-tracked corporate and industrial projects at the expense of indigenous rights. They warned that relaxed land-use regulations have accelerated the conversion of scarce agricultural land into commercial real estate, posing a serious threat to food security.
Environmental experts also expressed concern that unchecked construction activity is placing additional pressure on Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem by straining already shrinking groundwater reserves and contributing to the worsening impact of glacier retreat.
Critics further said New Delhi’s direct intervention in Ladakh mirrors policies pursued in Kashmir, adding that administrative measures are being used to engineer demographic changes while peaceful protests and civil dissent by locals are met stringent measures, including arrests, communication blackouts and physical lockdowns.
They maintained that the Modi government has used policy measures to weaken constitutional and legal safeguards for minorities throughout India and advance its Hindutva-driven agenda.
