Ladakh administration accused of witch-hunt over kindergarten school dispute

Gitanjali J. Angmo has accused Ladakh bureaucrats of acting worse than the British after the administration halted the functioning of the Desert Flower School. Ms. Angmo stated that the government is incompetent and engages in a witch-hunt against educational initiatives.

The Dispute

The Ladakh administration stated that the Desert Flower School, run by the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, started operating without necessary approvals from the competent authority. Officials directed the institute to maintain status quo regarding a land lease case pending before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Background

Construction of the school began in 2023 using donations from Public Sector Units. Ms. Angmo said they followed approval processes but faced conflicting demands from different offices regarding a no-objection certificate concerning political members in the managing committee.

Reactions

Sonam Wangchuk also described the notice as a witch-hunt linked to his activism for democracy and constitutional safeguards. He alleged that the administration targets individuals who raise their voice against policies under Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.

Context

Public-private educational initiatives often require multiple administrative clearances and land lease agreements from local authorities. When disputes arise over land use or regulatory approvals, courts frequently step in to review administrative delays and pending applications.