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Kavinder Gupta Sworn In as Ladakh’s First Political Lieutenant Governor

He has vowed to remedy past discrimination to position Ladakh as a global tourism draw upon assuming office.

BJP leader Kavinder Gupta takes charge as lieutenant governor of Union territory of Ladakh, at Raj Niwas in Leh on Friday. (ANI)
Kavinder Gupta takes oath as new Ladakh LG
BJP leader Kavinder Gupta taking oath as the new lieutenant governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, in Leh on Friday. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh high court chief justice Arun Palli administered him the oath. (ANI Photo)
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Overview

  • Gupta took the oath on July 18 at Ladakh Raj Niwas in Leh, administered by Justice Arun Palli after President Droupadi Murmu appointed him to succeed Brigadier B D Mishra.
  • He becomes the first political appointee to the post since Ladakh’s 2019 formation, drawing on experience as Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister, assembly speaker and three-term Jammu mayor.
  • Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Gupta must balance the interests of Leh’s Buddhist majority and Kargil’s Muslim community to win public trust.
  • Gupta pledged to remedy long-standing discrimination and elevate Ladakh as a premier global tourism destination.
  • His past ‘land jihad’ remarks and disputed land encroachment allegations have resurfaced, prompting calls for transparent governance.