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| LG Kavinder Gupta offers olive branch amid deadlock over next round of Ladakh’s talks | | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 25: In a significant statement amid a continuing deadlock between Ladakhi civil society groups and the Union Government, the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Friday said that the Centre is open to considering all genuine demands of the region’s people — including the call for statehood.
Gupta’s remarks come at a crucial time when uncertainty clouds the next round of talks between agitating Ladakhi groups and the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The proposed meeting, earlier expected to take place this month, has yet to be officially confirmed, causing growing anxiety among stakeholders in both Leh and Kargil.
“The Government of India is serious about addressing the concerns of the people of Ladakh. All legitimate demands, including the demand for statehood, will be looked into with an open mind,” LG Gupta said while addressing media persons.
Since Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, various socio-political groups and student bodies have been demanding constitutional safeguards to preserve the region’s identity, land, culture, and employment rights. These demands have crystallized into four key issues: statehood for Ladakh, constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and the establishment of a Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—the two principal umbrella groups spearheading the agitation—have maintained that Ladakh’s future depends on meaningful autonomy and institutional safeguards.
Uncertainty Over HPC Talks
While the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier constituted the HPC to engage with Ladakhi stakeholders, the dialogue process has seen little progress in recent months. The July round of talks—seen as a potential breakthrough—has not yet materialized, reportedly due to lack of clarity over the agenda and assurances.
The statement from LG Gupta is being viewed as a calculated and conciliatory message aimed at bridging the widening trust deficit between the Centre and the Ladakhi leadership.
“As a representative of the Government of India, it is my responsibility to listen to the people of Ladakh with empathy and understanding,” Gupta said. “We are committed to development, but also to ensuring that no section feels ignored or alienated.”
While Gupta’s remarks have been welcomed by some as a step in the right direction, representatives of LAB and KDA remain cautious.
A senior member of the LAB, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Words are encouraging, but we need timelines and concrete actions. The HPC must reconvene urgently and with a clear mandate to address all our demands.”
Meanwhile, the Kargil Democratic Alliance has reiterated its stand that no talks will be meaningful unless the statehood issue is put squarely on the table and the people of Ladakh are assured constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule. |
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