Ladakh Leaders Raise Concerns Over District Reorganisation The Union Territory of Ladakh has sparked debate over the recent decision to reorganize its administrative structure by creating five new districts, increasing the total from two to seven. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the notification earlier this week, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from local leaders. While some view the reorganisation as a step toward better governance, others have raised concerns about its implications for regional unity and representation. Political leader Sajjad Kargili, a member of the KDA party, criticized the decision, arguing that it appears more like an effort to fragment Ladakh’s unified statehood movement than a genuine administrative reform. In a post on X, Kargili stated that while regions like Drass and Zanskar in Kargil have long sought district status and their inclusion is welcomed, the overall approach raises “serious concerns.” He accused the process of ignoring “regional sensitivities, demographic realities, and principles of equitable representation.” Citing the 2011 Census, Kargili highlighted that Ladakh’s population of 274,289 is composed of 46.40% Muslims and 39.65% Buddhists. He pointed out that the new reorganisation results in five Buddhist-majority districts and only two Muslim-majority districts, calling the distribution “skewed.” This, he warned, could deepen existing divisions within the region. Kargili also reiterated demands for district status for Sankoo-Suru and Shakar Chiktan, regions that have repeatedly submitted memorandums to support their case but have been overlooked. Meanwhile, Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa expressed support for the decision, framing it as the fulfillment of a long-standing demand for more administrative units.#ladakh #ladakh #vinai_kumar_saxena #sajjad_kargili #kda #sankoo_suru
