Kargil, The recent decision by the Indian Supreme Court to uphold the revocation of Article 370 has elicited varied responses in the Ladakh region of occupied Kashmir. The Muslim-majority Kargil district has expressed disappointment, while the Buddhist-dominated Leh district has welcomed the ruling.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Sajjad Kargili, a prominent political figure from Kargil and a leader of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), voiced dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. KDA, an amalgamation of various religious and political parties in Kargil, regards the Modi government’s actions on August 5, 2019, as undemocratic. Kargili criticized the precedent set by the Indian government’s ability to bifurcate states without legislative assembly consent and lamented the imposed division between Kashmir and Ladakh. However, he emphasized that the people-to-people relations would remain unaffected by these developments.

Kargili highlighted a specific concern about the Supreme Court’s decision, noting its lack of provisions for Ladakh beyond a one-line judgment. This, he argued, deprives Ladakhis of elected representation and undermines their democratic rights. Despite facing humiliation and demonization, Kargili commended the sensibility shown by Kashmir-based political parties.

On the other hand, the Leh Apex Body, representing various Buddhist social, religious, and political groups in Leh, issued a statement in support of the Supreme Court’s ruling. This coalition has historically opposed Article 370 and expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision aligning with their stance.

This contrasting reaction within the Ladakh region reflects the diverse political and social dynamics in the wake of the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict on Article 370. The ruling continues to shape the political landscape in the region, impacting the communities and their aspirations differently.