Leh, June 20, 2026 : The Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the All Ladakh Gonpa Association (ALGA) have jointly called for a complete Ladakh Bandh and a peaceful rally on June 23, seeking attention to what they described as the “collective concerns” of the people of Ladakh on several social, cultural, administrative, and political issues.
According to leaders of the two organisations, the bandh has been called to highlight multiple concerns affecting the Union Territory, including the alleged delay by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in issuing the official minutes of the May 22, 2026 meeting held with representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The organisations also cited concerns regarding the proposed new liquor policy in Ladakh and allegations of religious conversions being carried out by certain Christian missionary groups in the region.
A preparatory meeting convened ahead of the bandh was attended by representatives of political parties, community organisations, business groups, and tourism stakeholders, including members of the Hotel Association, Trade and Travel Alliance, and the Travel Agents Association.
Participants at the meeting expressed support for raising these issues through peaceful and democratic means and emphasized the need for a united public response.
In a joint statement, the LBA and ALGA appealed to citizens, traders, transporters, hoteliers, government employees, and members of civil society to extend wholehearted support to the bandh and participate in the rally in a disciplined and non-violent manner.
“The bandh and rally aim to convey the collective voice of the people of Ladakh and seek timely attention and action on matters that have significant social, economic, cultural and administrative implications for the region,” the statement said.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions between Ladakh’s representative bodies and the Union Government regarding constitutional safeguards and governance-related issues in the Union Territory.
Earlier this month, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) stated that it had not signed the minutes of the May 22 meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs, alleging that an important issue discussed during the talks had been omitted from the official record.
In May 2026, the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced that they had reached an “in-principle” understanding with the Union Government on key demands, including the restoration of democratic processes in Ladakh and constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.
However, representatives of both organisations have since been awaiting the formal release of the meeting minutes from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which they consider essential for taking the dialogue process forward.
The June 23 bandh is expected to serve as a significant expression of public sentiment as Ladakh’s civil society groups seek clarity and action on issues they believe are crucial to the region’s future.
