VBL opposes ‘outside’ political groups’ role in Sept 23-24 programmes

LEH: The Voice of Buddhist Ladakh (VBL) has opposed the alleged involvement of Communist parties, Left-wing groups and other organisations from outside Ladakh in the programmes being organised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) on September 23 and 24.

VBL Convenor Skarma Namtak questioned the need for involving outside political groups in what he described as matters concerning Ladakh and its people. He said Ladakh has no shortage of capable local leadership and questioned why organisations whose ideological positions, according to him, are “suspicious” were being brought into the region’s programmes.

 “There is no dearth of leadership in Ladakh. Why are outside people being involved, particularly those whose ideology is suspicious, in the internal matters of Ladakh?” Namtak said.

The VBL’s statement comes ahead of the 20-km Padyatra being organised by the LAB on September 23, followed by programmes planned on September 24. The Padyatra is being held in the run-up to the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025 violence in Leh.

Namtak specifically objected to what he described as the participation or involvement of Communist parties, Leftists and groups referred to by VBL as the “Cockroach Party” and “Tukde Tukde Gang”, arguing that the participation of such outside political elements could have implications for Ladakh’s internal discourse.