Political Parties Criticise Centre Over Ladakh Statehood Demand Amid Protests

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have strongly criticised the BJP-led central government for not granting statehood or Sixth Schedule status to the cold desert region of Ladakh, where protest demonstrations erupted on Wednesday.

Former Chief Minister and J&K National Conference leader Omar Abdullah noted that while Ladakh had celebrated its Union Territory status in 2019, the region now feels “betrayed.” He said, “Ladakh wasn’t even promised statehood. They celebrated UT status in 2019 and they feel betrayed and angry. Now try to imagine how betrayed and disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood to J&K remains unfulfilled, despite our democratic, peaceful, and responsible demands.”

For the past three years, Ladakh representatives have engaged in multiple rounds of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs over the region’s demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. While agreements on domicile and reservation have been reached, no decision on statehood has yet been made.

Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti called on the Government of India to undertake “a sincere and thorough appraisal of what has truly changed since 2019.” Sharing a video of the protests in Ladakh on her X account, she remarked, “This video is not from the Kashmir Valley, the epicentre of unrest, but from the heart of Ladakh, where angry protesters have set police vehicles and a BJP office on fire. Leh, a region long known for peaceful and measured demonstrations, is now witnessing a disturbing shift toward violent protests. People feel betrayed, insecure, and let down by unfulfilled promises. It is imperative that the government addresses the root causes of this discontent urgently and transparently, rather than managing crises day-to-day.”

Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi also criticised the government’s inaction regarding an ongoing hunger strike in Ladakh. “If people have been on hunger strike for days, why has the government not intervened?” he questioned. Nabi emphasised that the demand for statehood is a legitimate constitutional right, not an act of rebellion. “Ignoring peaceful protests only deepens alienation,” he warned, urging the Centre to respond with seriousness and sincerity before the situation deteriorates further.

Citing reports that a BJP office and a police vehicle were set ablaze, Nabi held the Union and UT administrations responsible for failing to address legitimate grievances. He cautioned that continued neglect of developmental demands and denial of political rights had created a combustible situation in Ladakh.