SRINAGAR, MAY 27 : Jamyang Tsering Namgyal new Member of Parliament (MP) from Ladakh said that Ladakhis have wanted to be a separate entity from Jammu and Kashmir.

“No other party supported the UT demand of Ladakhis, only the BJP is onboard from regional to national level. Hence, Ladakh’s political aspiration will be a priority. Ladakh is known as part of Kashmir but that is not factually true. We have a different culture, ethnicity and even language. Valley-centric policies cannot be geographically implemented in Ladakh. In every respect, Ladakh must be separated from Kashmir,” said Namgyal in an interview with India Today.

Namgyal added, “Tourism suffered in Ladakh due to tensions in Kashmir. The separate division now and relaxation of the inner-line permit by Modi ji will help boost Ladakh tourism. It has given us a new identity”.

He added that this demand is not recent but “since 1948, Ladakhis have wanted to be a separate entity from Jammu and Kashmir”. “Focusing on development on all fronts. Ladakh is neglected and remained backward. People want change,” he added.

Ladakh witnessed communal tensions in 2017 over inter-religious relationships but Namgyal assures disturbances will not last long. “Buddhists and Muslims are connected still by blood and tradition. We celebrate similar festivals. Ladakh, by character, is secular and democratic,” he said. (PTK)