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| Amid stalled talks with Centre, Ladakh leaders turn to Thupstan Chhewang | | |  Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 7: With the Higher Powered Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Home Affairs showing little enthusiasm to resume stalled talks with Ladakh’s agitating groups, senior leaders of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) have appealed to veteran politician and former LBA president Thupstan Chhewang to return as Chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB).
Chhewang had resigned from the LAB in July this year following the induction of new members into the panel. His absence, Buddhist leaders said on Sunday, has created “confusion and weakened Ladakh’s collective voice” in negotiations with the Centre.
In a joint meeting of branch presidents, it was unanimously resolved that only under Chhewang’s leadership could Ladakh’s aspirations be effectively represented.
“During his tenure as Apex Chairman, he brought clarity, strength and unity to the Ladakh movement, and successfully pushed for the resolution of several long-pending issues,” the leaders stated.
Expressing doubts about the current leadership’s ability to secure meaningful dialogue with the Union Government, the LBA leaders urged Chhewang to withdraw his resignation “without politics or self-interest” in the larger interest of Ladakh and its people.
The Leh Apex Body—one of the two key organisations representing Ladakh’s demands before the Ministry of Home Affairs, alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—has been grappling with internal differences since Chhewang’s resignation.
Despite repeated appeals, Chhewang has remained firm in his decision to step aside, citing his desire to avoid partisan and individual agendas after Chhewang had resigned from the LAB in July this year following the induction of new members into the panel.
His absence has created “confusion and weakened Ladakh’s collective voice” in negotiations with the Centre.
During his tenure as Apex Chairman, he brought clarity, strength and unity to the Ladakh movement.
He successfully pushed for the resolution of several long-pending issues.
In contrast, Ladakh Congress president and former minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, who had also resigned from the HPC and its sub-committee on July 5, 2025, has agreed to continue his participation. Jora clarified that while he had personally withdrawn earlier, the Congress party remained fully committed to LAB’s objectives, including statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards.
Thupstan Chhewang, a former Lok Sabha MP, is widely regarded as a towering figure in Ladakh politics. He has been instrumental in articulating the region’s demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule to safeguard Ladakh’s tribal identity, land rights, and cultural heritage.
His leadership of the LAB was seen as a unifying force, making his exit a major setback at a time when Ladakh faces crucial negotiations with the Centre. Observers have described his resignation as a “veiled warning” for Ladakh’s future.
As the LAB and KDA prepare for critical talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the uncertainty around Chhewang’s role has raised concerns about the region’s leadership stability. In a significant move, the LAB has also inducted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk into the HPC, signalling a shift in its representation strategy.
With deepening internal rifts and growing pressure from the Centre, the coming weeks are expected to be decisive for the trajectory of Ladakh’s movement for constitutional safeguards and greater autonomy. |
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