Leh: The Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) has strongly renewed its demand for enactment of an Anti-Conversion Law for the Union Territory of Ladakh, citing rising social unrest and alleged organised religious conversion activities in the region. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, LBA leaders termed the situation in Zanskar as a “black day” for the Buddhist community after a complete shutdown was observed in the subdivision following an interfaith marriage incident that, they claim, has triggered widespread tension.
LBA representatives said that a Buddhist girl from Zanskar had reportedly eloped with a youth from Kargil, leading to protests and a half-day shutdown across the area. The organisation alleged that such incidents were not isolated and had been recurring for decades, causing deep concern among the local population.
“This is not merely an individual case but part of a disturbing pattern. We believe there are subversive elements with malicious intentions that are disturbing the social tranquility and communal harmony of Ladakh,” an LBA spokesperson said during the press briefing. The Association appealed to all religious and civil society organisations to openly condemn such activities, which it said were undermining peace in the strategically sensitive border region.
The LBA also urged the Ladakh administration to formally approach the Union Government, including the President of India and the Union Home Ministry, to seek early enactment of an Anti-Conversion Law in Ladakh, on the lines of similar legislations passed in several Indian states.
In a formal memorandum submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the LBA highlighted alleged organised conversion campaigns in remote areas of Ladakh. The letter claims that these activities involve inducement, misrepresentation, and conversions through marriage without full disclosure, often targeting economically vulnerable sections of society.
The Association warned that such practices pose a serious threat to Ladakh’s delicate religious demography, which comprises Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and other minority communities living in a historically peaceful coexistence. It also cautioned that unchecked conversion activities could impact tourism, development initiatives and overall economic stability by creating perceptions of instability in the region.
The memorandum further states that the proposed Anti-Conversion Law would protect individuals from coercion, fraudulent misrepresentation and economic exploitation disguised as religious activity. It would also provide a clear regulatory framework and institutional grievance redressal mechanism, while acting as a deterrent against provocative conversion drives.
Citing precedents, the LBA noted that several states including Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka have already enacted similar legislations, and urged that Ladakh should not be left without such legal safeguards.
Reiterating its stand, the LBA appealed to all stakeholders and citizens of Ladakh to remain vigilant and united, and to condemn what it termed as activities threatening the region’s social fabric, until a comprehensive Anti-Conversion Law is put in place.
