At JUAIK event, Gupta calls Islamic School a source of Hope & Inspiration
Kargil, Jul 27: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, announced on Sunday that the Zojila Tunnel project is progressing well and is expected to be completed by April next year. Commending the resilience of workers navigating harsh terrain, Gupta emphasized that projects of such scale reflect the collective will of the people and the administration.
The LG Ladakh made these remarks during a civic reception hosted by the Jamait Ul Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil (JUAIK), marking his first visit to Kargil since assuming office. The event, held at the historic Islamic seminary Hozia Ilmiya Isna Asharia, featured traditional rituals and enthusiastic participation from the community.
Earlier, JUAIK President Hojjatul Islam Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi welcomed the Lieutenant Governor with a customary Kargili shawl, a gesture underscoring cultural pride and hospitality. The gathering drew an array of religious scholars, elected representatives, and administrative officials, reflecting the seminary’s longstanding stature as a socio-religious institution in the region.
In his address, Sheikh Nazir commended LG Gupta for prioritizing outreach early in his tenure and highlighted JUAIK’s longstanding contributions to community upliftment — from education and healthcare to disaster response and environmental efforts. He also acknowledged former LG Dr. B.D. Mishra’s support for JUAIK’s plantation initiative and expressed hope that the new administration would continue this cooperation.
LG Gupta, in his remarks, lauded the people of Kargil for their civic spirit, hospitality, and commitment to harmony. He described the Islamic School Kargil as one of the most impactful institutions in Ladakh, praising its youthful leadership and service-oriented ethos.
“I believe Ladakh’s development must be inclusive, and to achieve that, the administration, religious institutions, and civil society must function as one cohesive unit,” Gupta said. He noted that his visit to the seminary may be the first by a sitting LG and pledged to maintain such outreach throughout his tenure.
On infrastructure, Gupta reaffirmed that the Zojila Tunnel — widely regarded as a transformative project for Kargil — is progressing steadily and remains a top priority. “The perseverance of those working in these tough environments deserves recognition. Their determination is what powers our development narrative,” he said.
He further assured that the Union Government’s “Development at the Doorstep” mission would be pursued with urgency and transparency, and that citizen grievances would be addressed in a timely and responsive manner.
Political in-charge of JUAIK, Sajjad Kargili, welcomed the LG and reiterated the historical and emotional connection the people share with the Islamic School Kargil. He underscored the institution’s cross-sect acceptance and its moral clarity during the turbulent 1990s, when it vocally rejected militancy and upheld peace as an Islamic principle.
Kargili appealed to the LG to expedite the long-standing demand for a civil airport in Kargil and urged the establishment of a General Administration Department (GAD) sub-office in the district, to improve administrative access and reduce bureaucratic delays for local residents.
The event was attended by several public and religious leaders including LAHDC Kargil Chairman Dr. Mohd Jaffar Akhone, Member of Parliament Haji Hanifa Jan, Executive Councilor Aga Syed Mujtaba, Chairman Haj Committee Ladakh Mohd Ali Majaz, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police Shree Ram R, Former Legislative Council Chairman Haji Anayat Ali, Former CECs Kacho Ahmad Khan and Feroz Ahmad Khan, JUAIK Vice President Sheikh Ghulam Ali Mufeedi, General Secretary Sheikh Ibrahim Khalili, members of the Ulema Council, and a broad spectrum of community representatives.
