LEH: Dr. Tondup Tsewang Chhospa, former President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, voicing concern over what he described as an “imbalance” in the composition of representatives participating in the ongoing dialogue between Ladakh’s leadership and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
In a letter dated November 8, 2025, Dr. Chhospa stated that the present representation from Ladakh—drawn through the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—reflects a disproportionate tilt towards one community. He observed that while the majority of members engaged in the talks belong to the Muslim community, only two representatives hail from the Buddhist side.
He cautioned that such a composition could “limit fair participation” and risk marginalizing Buddhist perspectives in discussions with the High-Powered Committee (HPC) and its sub-committee, both of which are steering deliberations on Ladakh’s core political and administrative demands.
Dr. Chhospa further pointed out that the draft committee member representing the Apex Body Leh and KDA is also from the Muslim community. This, he said, may inadvertently sideline Buddhist viewpoints during the drafting and decision-making stages.
“Ladakh’s identity is deeply rooted in both Buddhist and Muslim traditions,” Dr. Chhospa wrote, urging the Home Ministry to ensure “equal reflection of both communities’ viewpoints” in the ongoing process. He recommended that a Buddhist member be added to the drafting team to maintain a balanced and inclusive approach.
The former LBA chief also highlighted growing unease among sections of the Buddhist community regarding the demand for statehood for Ladakh. Some Buddhists, he noted, fear that statehood may fail to guarantee equitable political representation or adequate safeguards for their community’s interests. Others believe it could aggravate regional and communal divides between Leh and Kargil instead of fostering unity.
Dr. Chhospa requested that the Home Ministry formally acknowledge these concerns while the dialogue remains underway, emphasizing that equitable participation is vital for Ladakh’s stability and harmony.
The MHA-led dialogue with Ladakh’s representatives continues as part of efforts to address the region’s long-pending issues following its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
