Ladakh’s new districts spark row, Kargil leaders allege “divide attempt”

Even as Ladakh Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena formally inaugurated five new districts carved out in UT, several political leaders in Kargil termed the move a “calculated attempt” to divide the region along communal and regional lines.

Ladakh’s number of districts rose from two to seven after five more— Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass were added by a notification issued by Lieutenant Governor Saxena

Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leader Sajjad Kargili said increasing the total number from two to seven, feels less like an administrative reform and more like a calculated move aimed at dividing the unified democratic and statehood movement of Ladakh’s people—particularly to weaken the collective voice of the Buddhist and Muslim communities.

Along with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), KDA has been holding dialogue with the Centre, pressing for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including statehood, Sixth Schedule status, job protections, and parliamentary representation

In a statement, Kargili while welcoming the long-pending elevation of areas like Drass and Zanskar to district status, he alleged that the overall exercise ignored regional sensitivities, demographic realities and principles of fair representation.

Citing 2011 Census data, Kargili said Ladakh’s population comprises about 46.40 per cent Muslims and 39.65 per cent Buddhists, but the reorganisation has resulted in five Buddhist-majority districts and only two Muslim-majority ones. He termed the division “disproportionate” and reflective of a “biased and discriminatory mindset”.

He also reiterated the demand for granting district status to Sankoo-Suru, Barsoo and Shakarkatna, saying residents of these areas have repeatedly submitted memorandums but remain unheard.

Expressing solidarity with the people of these regions, Kargili said any attempt to divide Ladakh along sectarian or regional lines would be strongly resisted, asserting that the union Territory’s strength lies in its unity and diversity.

Chief Executive Councilor Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, while welcoming the creation of new districts, expressed strong resentment over the exclusion of Sankoo Sub Division and Shakar Chiktan Shargole Sub Division.

“This exclusion is deeply unfortunate and cannot be overlooked,” he said.

The CEC said Kargil district has 80 villages remaining while Leh has 44.“Kargil, given its population and geographic expanse, deserves greater administrative relief. Village allocation among newly created districts appears arbitrary and lacks transparent justification,” he said.

He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the Ladakh LG to ensure immediate separate notification for Sankoo and Shakar Chiktan Shargole as new districts.

Ladakh’s sitting MP Mohammad Hanifa Jan said the creation of new districts marks a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance and accelerating development in the region.

“I would like to strongly reiterate that Sankoo–Suru and Shakar–Chiktan–Shargole constitute one of the most populated areas of Ladakh and have genuine demand for district status. Given the large population and vast, far-flung geography of these regions, the creation of a separate district is not only justified but urgently needed. I sincerely hope that this genuine demand will be fulfilled at the earliest,” he said.