Leh, Sept 18: A major controversy has erupted in Ladakh after several prominent religious and trade associations jointly objected to Raja Jigmet Wangchuk Namgyal of Stok Palace leasing land to an outside business entity.
In a strongly worded letter, addressed to Raja Jigmet Wangchuk Namgyal, representatives of the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association and the Travel Tour Association alleged that land at Stok had been leased out to the Postcard chain of business entrepreneurs for setting up commercial activities linked to tourism.
The associations stated that the move violated a previously agreed decision taken in a joint meeting of the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association and the All Ladakh Travel Tour Association, which had resolved not to sell or lease land to non-locals in order to safeguard the business interests of local entrepreneurs.
The letter was endorsed by top religious and community organizations of Ladakh, including Chering Dorjay, President, Ladakh Buddhist Association; Ven Dorjay Stanzin, President, All Ladakh Gonpa Association; Ashraf Ali Barcha, President, Anjuman Imamia; Dr. Abdul Qayum, President, Anjuman Moin ul Islam; Simon Parvez, President, Christian Community; and Sofia Noor Baksh, President, Women’s Alliance.
The signatories pointed out that the collective decision not to allow sale or lease of land to outsiders had been endorsed by all major religious organizations of Ladakh, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association.
They urged Raja Jigmet Wangchuk Namgyal to terminate the lease deed with the Postcard company, warning that failure to do so would compel local bodies to launch a non-cooperation movement against the company, including boycotts of its business activities.
The associations argued that leasing land to outside companies undermines local hotel, guest house, tour, and travel operators who form the backbone of Ladakh’s tourism economy. They stressed that such actions could have long-term repercussions for local employment and entrepreneurship.
The letter has also been copied to the presidents of the All Ladakh Taxi Union, Tempo Union, and Bike Union, signaling that transport bodies may join the protest if the issue is not resolved.
This development highlights the growing tensions in Ladakh over the entry of outside business chains into the region’s tourism industry, which locals fear could marginalize traditional stakeholders.
As of now, Raja Jigmet Wangchuk Namgyal has not issued a public response to the concerns raised by the associations.
