Ladakh needs elected legislature, not unilateral decisions, Wangchuk tells Centre

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday accused the Centre of going back on an understanding reached with Ladakh's protesting groups in May, saying the cancellation of a proposed meeting had once again dashed hopes of a democratic framework for the region.

Addressing a press conference here, Wangchuk said representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) had prepared for the next round of discussions scheduled for October 22, following a meeting with the Union Home Ministry on October 15 in Leh.

At the October 15 meeting, the two groups submitted their draft proposals to the ministry and received the government's proposal in return. The documents were compared point by point, with the expectation that differences would be discussed at the next meeting, he said.

"I had already booked my tickets. We made our plans accordingly, but now they are saying the meeting is not happening," Wangchuk said, describing the development as another breach of trust.

He said the May 22 meeting had raised hopes of a democratic governance structure for Ladakh. The groups had initially sought statehood but, after being told that the region lacked the resources for it, proposed a Union Territory with a legislature and constitutional safeguards, he said.

"We are saying again that nothing less than a Union Territory with a legislature and safeguards will be acceptable," Wangchuk said.

The May 22 meeting between representatives of LAB and KDA and a sub-committee of the Union Home Ministry had focused on constitutional protection, democratic representation and the long-pending demand for statehood.

Wangchuk had said after that meeting that the Centre proposed safeguards for Ladakh along the lines of Articles 371A and 371G and agreed in principle to a governance structure covering the entire region, rather than limiting powers to district councils.

On Thursday, he said an elected legislature was essential to ensure that people had a say in decisions affecting their lives. At present, the administration was taking decisions unilaterally and the powers of district councils had also been curtailed, he alleged.

"An LG has been appointed like a British Viceroy, who makes unilateral decisions. This is a blot on Indian democracy," Wangchuk said.

He argued that Ladakh's strategic location along the border with China made the protection of democratic rights even more important. Condemning China's claims over the region, he said the government should strengthen the border by empowering local people rather than weakening their position through its own decisions.

"China is claiming Ladakh as its territory. We condemn that. But do not crush Ladakh under your feet," he said.

"Do not weaken the borders because of your stubbornness," he added.

Wangchuk also raised concerns over the protection of Ladakh's land, resources and identity, noting that around 90 per cent of its population belonged to tribal communities. He alleged that local people risked being marginalised in decisions involving corporate interests and questioned policies being pursued without adequate public consent.

He cited protests by women against the expansion of liquor sales, saying many residents wanted Ladakh to remain a dry region.

The activist acknowledged some positive developments, including a High Court bench and improvements in roads and airport infrastructure, but said these could not replace democratic representation.

"Whatever good has happened, we salute it. But nobody wants a cage, even if it is made of gold," he said.

Citing Arunachal Pradesh, which was granted statehood in 1987 despite its sensitive border location, Wangchuk argued that strategic considerations should not be used to deny Ladakh an elected legislature.

Referring to the violence in Leh on September 24, 2025, he said the protest had been peaceful, with people sitting on a hunger strike, yet lives were lost.

Asked about protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Wangchuk said the debate on electoral reforms should also address regions such as Ladakh, whose residents cannot elect representatives to a legislative assembly.

"The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls was one aspect of a broader question about democratic rights... elections alone are not enough if promises made to people were not fulfilled," he said, calling for wider electoral reforms.