Alleges neglect of Ladakhis in UoL Faculty Recruitment
Yash Khajuria
Leh, Sept 03: Alleging that the University of Ladakh was systematically denying Ladakhi scholars their rightful share in faculty recruitment, political activist Sajjad Hussain Kargili on Tuesday urged the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, to intervene and ensure strict enforcement of reservation provisions in the University and its constituent colleges, citing growing frustration among local scholars and youth over stalled appointments.
In a detailed memorandum submitted on September 3, Kargili said that since the creation of the Union Territory in 2019, no regular faculty recruitment has been carried out, leaving qualified scholars disheartened and without avenues for advancement. He underlined that despite the availability of Ph.D., MPhil, NET-JRF and SET-qualified Ladakhi candidates with years of teaching and research experience, recent academic appointments have overwhelmingly favored candidates from outside the region.
Kargili alleged that the University’s refusal to implement the newly introduced Recruitment Rule 2025, which provides for up to 95 percent reservation for Ladakh domiciles under Government Order M/1256/2024-S&TW SEC, amounts to a denial of rightful representation. He urged the administration to initiate corrective steps so that local aspirants do not continue to age out of opportunities.
The memorandum further criticized contractual appointments that, according to Kargili, disproportionately benefited non-local applicants despite the presence of competent Ladakhi candidates. He also raised objections to the exclusion of local governance representatives, including the Chief Executive Councilors of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil, from the University Council, a practice described as undermining institutional accountability.
Referring to UGC guidelines (F.1-8/2014/SCT), which obligate state-funded institutions to comply with reservation norms, and recalling a parliamentary clarification reiterated by Minister of State for Education Dr. Subhas Sarkar in February this year, Kargili said the University of Ladakh’s continued deviation from national policy requires urgent intervention.
Concluding his appeal, the activist urged the Lieutenant Governor to act in the interest of Ladakhi students and scholars who have been awaiting recruitment for six years, stressing that the academic future of the region depends on timely and fair implementation of reservation provisions.
