Kargil, Oct 24: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Saturday warned of renewed peaceful agitation across Kargil and Leh, accusing the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of delaying dialogue with Ladakhi representatives and failing to issue a formal invitation for the October 22 meeting.
Addressing a press conference, KDA leaders expressed disappointment over the absence of official communication, a confirmed agenda or clarity on the next round of talks, saying the uncertainty was eroding people’s patience and stalling the process.
The MHA had indicated during the October 15 meeting in Leh that the next round of discussions would be held in New Delhi on October 22 to resolve differences over Ladakh’s governance structure. However, the proposed meeting did not take place.
The delay follows an inconclusive round of talks on October 15, when representatives of the KDA and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) rejected a 32-page draft proposal prepared by the administration.
The representatives argued that the proposal merely restructured existing local council arrangements instead of providing Ladakh with a fully empowered elected legislative assembly backed by constitutional safeguards.
“The people of Ladakh are being subjected to dilly-dallying tactics, and our patience is wearing thin,” KDA co-chairman Sajad Kargili said.
The alliance warned that if the Centre failed to honour its assurances or provide a transparent schedule for further discussions, it would mobilise public support for a peaceful democratic agitation in Kargil and Leh.
The demands include statehood, constitutional safeguards and elected legislative representation for Ladakh.
Ladakh MP Mohd Hanifa Jan said the governance proposal failed to reflect the aspirations and rights of the region’s people.
He said Ladakh needed a democratic system that would allow its people to govern themselves, formulate policies and determine their own development priorities.
“Our ultimate goal is essential to the future of Ladakh,” Jan said, stressing that constitutional safeguards and meaningful democratic powers were necessary for the region’s long-term development.
Earlier, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other prominent leaders had condemned the uncertainty surrounding the talks, describing the repeated delays as a setback to Ladakh’s political aspirations.
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