Govt. backtracking on Ladakh draft, alleges Wangchuk
POLITY – STATES
2 JUNE 2026
- Members of the Ladakh civil society said the Centre was backtracking from its promise made during the meeting on May 22, 2026 on “granting supreme powers to elected representatives over bureaucracy in the Union Territory”.
- They further alleged that the draft shared by the Union Home Ministry recently was “watered down”.
- “We appeal to the Centre to not allow the atmosphere of positivity to turn negative. There is scope for suspicion that the Centre is backtracking from its agreed position,” said climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who attended the sub-committee meeting in New Delhi on May 22.
- Mr. Wangchuk was joined by leaders of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, including its president Cherring Dorjay Lakrook, and leaders of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
- “The May 22 meeting of the sub-committee with the Centre was historic. It was hailed by all. Everyone expressed happiness. It suggested a tailored democratic set-up for Ladakh. It was agreed that the elected representatives of the Legislative Assembly will have executive, financial and legal powers. It was agreed that the elected representatives will have supreme powers over bureaucracy, including the Chief Secretary. However, the draft shared by the Ladakh administration does not reflect what was agreed upon,” said Mr. Wangchuk.
- Mr. Wangchuk released the recorded minutes of the meeting with the Ministry.
- “A few days ago, Mr. Cherring was shown the draft for his signature. However, it was not the same that was deliberated upon on May 22 in New Delhi. In fact, Mr. Cherring was denied permission to take a picture of the draft. It’s strange that no official means, such as email, letter etc., was used to forward the final draft to us. These things are sowing seeds of suspicions,” said Mr. Wangchuk.
