Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a two-day visit to Ladakh on April 30, coinciding with the arrival of sacred relics of Tathagata Buddha in Leh. This marks Shah's first visit since Ladakh was designated a Union Territory in August 2019. During his stay, he will pay respects to the relics and participate in the Buddha Purnima celebrations on May 1. Advocate Tashi Gyalson, a former leader in Ladakh's local governance, emphasized the significance of this visit but noted that no meetings with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are planned. These groups are currently advocating for statehood and constitutional protections for Ladakh, following a violent protest last September that resulted in casualties. The arrival of the Buddha relics, which will be publicly displayed from May 2 to 10, has been celebrated with traditional ceremonies and prayers, highlighting Ladakh's deep-rooted Buddhist heritage. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena welcomed the relics, which have been exhibited globally, and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Ladakh for this important event.