Ladakh’s top monk seeks judicial probe into Leh deaths in police firing

The Head Lama of Ladakh’s Thiksey and Diskit monasteries, Rev. Kushok Thiksey, has appealed to the government of India and the Ladakh administration to order an “impartial and transparent” judicial inquiry into the recent death of four persons in police firing in Leh.

In a letter to the Home Minister Amit Shah and Ladakh Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta, the Head Lama has expressed “deep concern and disapproval of the excessive use of force that has led to such tragic consequences”.

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“The loss of precious human lives under such circumstances is deeply troubling and must be addressed with utmost seriousness and accountability”, he has written.

Rev. Kushok Thiksey, who is Head Lama of the two prominent monasteries of Ladakh and a former MP, has also sought “unconditional release” of individuals who may have been unjustly detained. “I strongly appeal for appropriate and timely ex-gratia compensation to be provided to the families of the deceased, as well as to those who have sustained injuries. Adequate medical support shall also be extended to all who need care and recovery”.

It is worth mentioning that the Thiksey and Diskit monasteries are among the most revered Gompas of Buddhists. Thiksey is the largest gompa in central Ladakh and resembles the Potala Palace, which was the abode of the Dalai Lama, in Tibet. The Diskit Gompa is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley of the Leh district.

Rev. Kushok Thiksey wrote, “The loss of lives and the injuries sustained have caused immense pain across our society, and I join in mourning with the families and communities who bear this grief. I offer sincere prayers for those who have passed away, that they may attain swift and auspicious rebirths. My thoughts remain with the injured and all individuals enduring hardship in these difficult times”.

“It is also my humble view that the concerns reflected in the Four-Point Agenda of Ladakh should be addressed through sincere and peaceful dialogue. Constructive engagement rooted in mutual respect can pave the way for lasting solutions”.

In his appeal to the people of Ladakh, the Head Lama said, “Let us respond to these challenging circumstances with calm, dignity, and non violence – principles that have always guided Ladakhi society. I encourage all communities to sincerely observe the Year of Compassion. It is also my sincere appeal that the Union Territory Administration approach this situation with restraint and a spirit of peace, ensuring that responses to public concerns are grounded in empathy, dialogue, and respect for human dignity”.

“Through continued dialogue, understanding, and commitment to peaceful means, may the path ahead be shaped by compassion, clarity, and unity. May peace and well-being prevail in Ladakh”, he wrote.