Ladakh council adopts new emblem replacing J-K logo

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has decided to adopt an insignia similar to the national emblem by replacing the Jammu and Kashmir's logo, drawing a sharp reaction from PDP which said it was "unfortunate".

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has decided to adopt an insignia similar to the national emblem by replacing the Jammu and Kashmir's logo, drawing a sharp reaction from PDP which said it was "unfortunate".

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In a unanimous resolution in this regard passed last week, the council adopted the symbol with the Ashoka Pillar which almost resembles the national emblem.

An LAHDC councillor said the decision was taken so as to give the emblem a more national look. Jammu and Kashmir has its own flag and emblem.

The councillor said the inclusion of the new logo will help in promoting the hill council as a unique political dispensation for the people of Ladakh.

Reacting to the issue, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his government will take a decision after examining the matter.

"We are examining the issue. After all, it is a local municipality. Even the Srinagar municipality has a different emblem. We will examine the manner and take a decision," Omar told PTI.

Opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP) termed the move to discard the state emblem by LAHDC as "unfortunate".

"PDP will fight any attempt to dilute the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution. Leh is part of the state. The emblem controversy is unfortunate," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said.

She claimed ruling National Conference has bartered away all the state's financial resources and institutions and there was need "to protect the unique identity of the state".

Mehbooba also said the PDP is fully behind the Private Member's bill planned to be tabled by party MLA from Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat for hoisting the state flag alongside the tricolour.

The 32-member LAHDC also passed a resolution for inclusion of Bodhi language in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution without any opposition.