New Delhi, The Indian National Congress has sharply criticized the Modi administration for its handling of the ongoing agitation in Ladakh, accusing it of undermining local elected institutions through bureaucratic control.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the mass protests against the government’s approach in Ladakh, part of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He stated, “The Modi Sarkar’s heavy-handed rule by bureaucracy has made a mockery of local elected institutions,” emphasizing the plight brought to international prominence by environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike in Leh for over two weeks, demanding constitutional safeguards for the region.

Ramesh detailed the demands of the Ladakhi people, which include statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to ensure local self-governance and protection of their rights. He criticized the government’s decision on August 5, 2019, to convert Ladakh into a Union Territory without a Legislative Assembly, questioning whether the local populace was consulted in this significant change.

The Congress spokesperson also raised concerns over the proposed Ladakh Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2023, pointing out its exclusion of local representatives and civil society from decision-making processes. He questioned the intentions behind the policy, especially in a region with a sensitive ecosystem like Ladakh.