The Diplomat Desk
Ladakh, TDD,Amid growing tensions over the official language policy in Ladakh, prominent leader Sajjad Kargili has called for calm and urged the public to avoid escalating the situation. The controversy revolves around the inclusion of languages in the official list for the Union Territory, with demands for greater representation of local languages.
In his statement, Sajjad Kargili emphasized that the issue is still under deliberation and no final decision has been made. He assured the public that further discussions would take place in the upcoming meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), scheduled for January 15.
“We urge everyone to remain calm and avoid creating unnecessary tension in the region over the issue of languages. The matter is still under discussion, and no final decision has been made yet. It will be deliberated further in the upcoming MHA meeting,” Kargili said.
He expressed optimism that both Purgi/Balti and Shina languages would be included in the official language list of Ladakh to ensure fairness and inclusivity for all communities.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a key political body in the region, echoed Kargili’s concerns. The KDA strongly urged the MHA and the Union Territory administration to avoid issuing any notification related to the language policy without comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders.
“We request the MHA and UT Ladakh administration to refrain from issuing any notification regarding the language issue without conducting thorough discussions and consulting all stakeholders,” KDA representatives said in a joint statement.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai is expected to address the matter in the upcoming meeting, where stakeholders hope their concerns will be heard and an inclusive decision will be made.
The language debate has been a sensitive issue in Ladakh, reflecting the region’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity. Residents are looking forward to a resolution that respects the sentiments of all communities while promoting harmony and unity in the Union Territory.TDD
