Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Leh, Ladakh, on the eve of Buddha Purnima, where he praised the local populace for their sacrifices in defense of the nation. He remarked on their bravery, stating that they have 'taken bullets on their chest' for the country. Shah's visit marked the return of sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Ladakh after 75 years, symbolizing peace and coexistence. He announced plans for a major expansion of the dairy sector, including a 50,000 litre-per-day milk processing plant in Leh and a 10-tonne-a-day dairy plant in Kargil. Shah reiterated the government's commitment to developing Ladakh into a self-reliant Union Territory, highlighting the region's transformation since its bifurcation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. However, local leaders from the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) expressed their ongoing demands for statehood and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule, which Shah did not address during his visit.