Ladakh to Centre: Skip Committees, Let Amit Shah Decide, Seek Direct Talks

In a fresh push to break the prolonged stalemate over Ladakh’s political demands, regional leaders have called for direct, decision-level talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah , urging the Centre to move beyond what they describe as “routine and ineffective” sub-committee discussions .

The demand comes just days before Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to Leh on April 30 , a moment local leaders believe could finally bring meaningful progress to issues that have remained unresolved for years.

At the heart of the discontent is the recent announcement by Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena regarding a sub-committee meeting on May 22 . For the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) , both of which have been in dialogue with the Centre since 2021, the move feels like a repetition of process without purpose .

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk , a prominent voice in the movement, articulated the growing frustration. According to him, discussions at the sub-committee level, largely involving bureaucrats, lack the authority to take final decisions . “If meetings continue without outcomes, months pass, and eventually, even years slip away without resolution,” he said.

The demand is clear and unified: Ladakh’s leadership wants the Home Minister himself to chair a meeting during his visit, preferably in Leh, under the High-Powered Committee framework. Leaders believe such a step would not only accelerate decision-making but also restore public confidence .

The core issues remain unchanged yet urgent. Ladakh groups continue to press for a four-point agenda , which includes:

• Granting of statehood

• Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution

• Safeguards for land and jobs

• Parliamentary representation

Leaders argue that these demands have already been discussed extensively in previous rounds, leaving little room for further deliberation. What is needed now, they insist, is clarity and commitment.

“There is nothing new to discuss, only decisions to be made,” said LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay , emphasizing that ambiguity from the Centre has only deepened uncertainty. He pointed out that even a clear refusal on key demands would be preferable to continued silence, as it would at least define the path ahead .

Adding another layer to the issue is the call for trust-building measures . Sonam Wangchuk highlighted the need for the government to address past actions, including cases filed during protests and compensation for affected individuals. Such steps, he argued, would help rebuild faith among the people before any high-level engagement.

The upcoming visit of Amit Shah also coincides with religious significance, as he is expected to participate in celebrations of Buddha Purnima . While the visit carries symbolic weight, Ladakh’s leadership hopes it will go beyond ceremonial gestures and lead to concrete political outcomes .