The bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories – Jammu & Kashmir with elected assembly (modelled on Pondicherry) and Ladakh including Leh and Kargil districts with a Lt. governor in charge will come into effect on 31st October 2019. Though a largest section of Ladakhis welcomes this move, they express their feeling of depression that they will not have an elected body to rule them. Though the Hill councils for Leh and Kargil exist, they can be likened to Panchayats. But Ladakh will have only one M.P. But many celebrate that the dominance of Kashmir-based political parties in their politics has gone, as it resulted in discrimination against Ladakhis. Only 10% of the funds allotted to J&K is spent on Ladakh. Now Ladakhis demand declaration of Ladakh as a tribal area under sixth schedule as the constitution makes special provisions for tribal-dominated areas in four states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tiripura and Mizoram.
Though Ladakh is strategically an important area, its vast geographical area cannot warrant status of Union Territory. Some express their feeling that, like the British, the union government wants to adopt a divide and rule policy among us.
The people from Kargil area feel that they have been neglected forgetting conveniently the yeoman service of nationalism done by Kargil residents during the Kargil war of 1999. They are afraid that abrogation of Article 370 has infringed on their politico-economic rights to a great extent by placing us on par with other citizens of India, when their present status is taken into account in the fields of education, employment and standard of living. The Ladakhis fear that their own lands may pass on into the hands of outsiders. More than 50% of the population is jobless in Ladakh. To cap it all, there should not arise divisible tendencies and difference of opinions among the Ladakhis, and residents of Leh and Kargil. It may take a few years, before the calm settles down withering away the storm that has actually created a Vacuum.
Demographics
| Division | Population | % Muslim | % Hindu | % Sikh | % Buddhist and other |
| Kashmir | 5,476,970 | 97.16% | 1.84% | 0.88% | 0.11% |
| Jammu | 4,430,191 | 30.69% | 65.23% | 3.57% | 0.51% |
| Ladakh | 236,539 | 47.40% | 6.22% | – | 45.87% |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 10,143,700 | 66.97% | 29.63% | 2.03% | 1.36% |
Written By V.V.K. Subburaj..,
