LEH, JANUARY 28, 2022: A resolution signed by members of the Central Working Committee (CWC), Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) condemned and sought an apology from responsible officials over the alleged undermining of prestige and dignity of the LAHDC Leh on this Republic Day.

It is noteworthy that some of the councilors from the LAHDC Leh were allegedly barred from entry at the Polo Ground premises to participate in the 73^rd Republic Day official function of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

“The Central Working Committee (CWC) of LBA took strong exception to the conscious and deliberate act of UT authorities to undermine the prestige and dignity of the LAHDC Leh by denying entry to it’s elected Councilors inside the historic Polo ground premises to participate in the 73rd republic day official function”, read the resolution signed by different members of the organisation.

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The resolution further read that “The Councilors are public representatives who are the links between the government and the people of Ladakh, who hold them in the highest of esteems.

“Moreover, the Hill Council is the symbol of our aspirations and the result of our long struggle. The LBA, not only, holds it dearly but is obsessed with its wellbeing, strength, honor and dignity. LBA can ill-afford to remain as mute spectator when the Council is undermined in anyway.

“The treatment meted out to Hon’ble Councilors can, in no way, be justified and the seemingly deliberate action of the authorities to belittle the stature of LAHDC Councilors, is condemnable in the strongest terms because the action is against the very essence of Indian democracy.

“Our national days are proud moments for the people of Ladakh who have always commemorated and celebrated them with the highest spirits, enthusiasms and patriotic fervors. Depriving the patriotic people of Ladakh the right to celebrate the national day amounts to murder of our sentiments and throttling of democratic traditions.

“The CWC of LBA not only condemns the unbecoming attitude of the authorities but seek an apology and also an assurance from those responsible for this lapse to the people of Ladakh so that such actions directed at insulting the Ladakhis and hurting their sentiments, shall not be repeated.

“The CWC members also expressed deep anguish over the fact that the attitude of responsible authorities towards the Ladakh Buddhist Association and Leh District have been found very unfriendly and grossly discriminative, so far.

“The members of the CWC advised LBA to support the idea of celebrating National days separately by LAHDC Leh, like the LAHDC of Kargil, in future and also to submit a protest note to the Hon’ble Lt Governor against the discriminative policies towards the people of Ladakh especially Leh District.

“Members also felt that a detailed letter should go to the Prime Minister of India highlighting our concerns.

“Denial of entry to Hon’ble Councilors of LAHDC Leh during the Republic Day celebrations is highly unfortunate. Since the LAHDCs are the elected public representative bodies, such incidents undermine the dignity of the elected representative bodies.

Pertinent to mention that the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor was very quick to take stand in solidarity with the LAHDC Leh. The CEC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan in a tweet said, “I, on behalf of LAHDC Kargil, stand in solidarity with the Hon’ble Councilors of LAHDC Leh and urge Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor to get this matter investigated thoroughly in a time bound manner to restore the dignity of the Hill Councils in Ladakh.”

However, the BJP led LAHDC Leh has not made any official statement or action on the row.