Kargil, February 17, 2025 — A major political upheaval has struck Ladakh over the alleged violation of the Hill Council Act, where the National Conference (NC) and the Congress completely boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of the newly nominated Councilor, Advocate Reyaz Ahmad Khan, terming it a serious attack on women’s rights.

The significant announcement was made today by Member of Parliament and NC Ladakh President, Haji Mohammad Hanifa Jan, while speaking to the media after DISHA meeting. He stated that the UT Administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have violated the spirit of the Hill Council Act by nominating a man to a seat specifically reserved for women.
He called the nomination an “encroachment on women’s rights” and an open contradiction of the government’s own claims regarding women’s empowerment and equal representation.

MP Hanifa Jan further clarified that the Hill Council Act mandates that out of four nominated councilors, two seats are exclusively reserved for women, a principle strictly followed in Kargil since the establishment of the Hill Council. By deviating from this established rule this time, he argued that not only were legal norms ignored, but women’s constitutional rights were also undermined.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

He vowed to raise the matter at the highest levels of the government. Hanifa Jan stated unequivocally: “This is a complete injustice to women, and we will not accept it under any circumstances.”

In light of this strong stance, all councilors and representatives from the National Conference and Congress decided not to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Political analysts suggest that this issue may ignite a new legal and constitutional debate in the future politics of Ladakh.

Meanwhile, the new nominated Councilor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Advocate Reyaz Ahmad Khan, took the oath of office in a ceremony held at the TFC Kargil, today at 4 PM.

Session Judge Kargil, Spalzes Angmo, administered the oath. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar, SSP Nitin Yadav, several district officers, BJP leaders, and party workers and clerics from Jamiat Ulema Isna Ashriya, Kargil.

Following the oath, BJP workers welcomed and congratulated Advocate Riaz Ahmad Khan by presenting him with traditional ‘Khatak’ (ceremonial scarf).

Intense debate is ongoing in political circles regarding the entire episode, and its further political and legal repercussions are expected to emerge in the coming days.