New Delhi: The creation of five new districts in Ladakh has sparked concern among Muslim groups and civil society leaders, who fear the move will weaken their political and administrative representation in the Union Territory.
The Centre formally notified the creation of Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass districts on April 27, ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Ladakh. With the latest change, Ladakh now has seven districts instead of two.
Leaders from Muslim-majority Kargil argued that the new boundaries do not reflect Ladakh’s demographic composition. According to the 2011 Census, Muslims form 46 percent of Ladakh’s population, while Buddhists account for 39 percent.
Activist Sajjad Kargili said only two of the seven districts will remain Muslim-majority, while five will have Buddhist majorities. He stated that proportional representation would have resulted in four Muslim-majority districts.
The issue has also raised fears of political marginalisation. Community leaders allege the district restructuring could reduce employment opportunities for Muslim youth at the district level and affect future political representation if delimitation exercises take place.
Several Muslim-majority areas, including Sankoo-Suru, Barsoo and Shakarkatna, had also demanded district status. Leaders said these demands were ignored despite repeated representations.
At the same time, leaders from Leh and Kargil have avoided direct confrontation. Buddhist leaders in Leh expressed concern that the Centre’s approach could create division between the two communities, which have jointly demanded Sixth Schedule protections and statehood since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019.
Despite the controversy, leaders from both regions insisted their demands for constitutional safeguards and statehood remain unchanged.
Story by Safwat Zargar for Scroll.in
