Sixth-Schedule Demand, Article 371 Offer: Why Ladakh Question Remains Unsolved Despite Series Of Meeting

Amid the reports of the Centre's plan to introduce Article 371 (K) to provide additional protection to Ladakh, the issue is yet to be resolved, as a series of meetings in the power corridors in New Delhi suggest.

One such meeting was held on September 9 among the Ministry of Home Affairs, the administration of Ladakh UT and a joint delegation of leaders from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was part of the delegation from LAB, expressed displeasure after the meeting, saying that the talks were unproductive and yielded no consensus.

He threatened to hold a fresh protest in the UT from September 19 in the event of no clear assurance on key demands.

What are the demands?

Statehood: The LAB and KDA are demanding full statehood for Ladakh. They also demand a democratically elected government and assembly in Ladakh. Notably, in 2019, Ladakh was made a Union Territory without a legislative assembly. Over time, resentment increased over no local control on administration and policies as the President-appointed LG and bureaucracy held all the powers.

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Sixth Schedule: Ladakh is demanding a Sixth Schedule status for itself. They schedule grants autonomous tribal area status under the Constitution. This would give local councils the power to make their own laws to protect land, forests, and culture.

Job security: Permanent reservations should be established for Ladakhi youth in government jobs, ensuring they don't face difficulties in finding jobs and allowing local youth to easily find employment.

Increase in MP seats: There have been demands for an increase in the number of parliamentary seats in Ladakh, given its geographical area. The demand is for two seats in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha.

Deadlock over Sixth Schedule

The deadlock persists as the Ladakhi representatives are adamant on their demand on the Sixth Schedule. The government is offering protection under Article 371.

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Article 371 protects the unique cultural, linguistic and social identities of the states. The government is also planning a UT-level body to provide constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, which will be directly elected and will have legislative, executive, and financial powers.

The central government believes that implementing the Sixth Schedule or granting statehood could hamper development and make the entire process entangled in unnecessary bureaucratic engagements.