After PAGD, KDA in Ladakh expects MHA invitation for talks

Kargil, June 22, 2021: With political activities taking a shape after more than a year in Jammu and Kashmir, Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in Ladakh is expecting an invitation from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deliberate on matters related to the region post abrogation of Article 370.

Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) a combined group of mainstream, student, religious, and other organizations and associations were formed after the demand for the 6th schedule came to fore from the native Leh district last year.

KDA leaders later in October last year met the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Alliance (PAGD) team in Kargil and deliberated on the various matters and joined hands with them on some similar demands.

Sources within the KDA told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they are expecting an invitation from the MHA soon to deliberate on the demands raised by the group since last year.

They said that they have not been invited as of now to New Delhi for talks with the ministry but are hopeful of an early call.

Asgar Karbalai, former Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) and the founding member of KDA told KNO that the Home Ministry has earlier committed to holding talks with leaders from Kargil after a delegation from Leh met them.

“We are hopeful to receive an invitation from MHA in coming days to hold deliberations about the demands raised by KDA,” he said.

“Our agenda is very clear which includes the full restoration of Article 370 and 35A and a separate statehood for the Ladakh region,” he said. “Maybe they will say the matter is pending with the Supreme Court of India but if they are sincere and want to empower Ladakh they will initiate appropriate required steps.”

Referring to the Government of India (GOI), Karbalai said they have snatched the powers from the region enjoyed for the past 70 years including the power to elect the representatives and make legislation.

“We are left voiceless now and if the concerns related to the people of Ladakh are sincere, the central government must make this region as a separate full-fledged state where a Ladakhi will rule Ladakh and form legislations of their own,” the former MLA said.

Former Minister and the key member of KDA Qamar Ali Akhoon told KNO that only reports regarding the invitation to us have emerged at different platforms but as of now, there is nothing officially. “We have not received an invitation from the Home Ministry to present our demands before them,” he said.

Qamar said that their agenda is clear to all and KDA has discussed the same with the leaders of Gupkar Alliance and the apex body as well.

“If we are invited by the MHA we will present our demands and agenda. We are ready to talk to anyone,” he said.

It may be recalled that the Ministry of Home Affairs in the ensuing year announced the formation of a committee headed by MoS Home GK Reddy to hold deliberations along with Ladakh-based leaders to look into the possibilities of inclusion of Ladakh into the 6th schedule.

The region witnessed a poll boycott ahead of the 6th general LAHDC Leh council elections after the local leaders voiced for the 6th schedule to protect the region’s land, culture, jobs, and other parameters fearing that outsiders may be benefited after it was carved out as a separate Union Territory.

Notably, the leader of the apex body formed in Leh demanding the 6th schedule have already met the Home Minister of India—(KNO)