Why in News?
- Leh Apex Body (LAB) and allied groups submitted a 29-page draft proposal to the MHA demanding:
- Statehood for Ladakh
- Sixth Schedule status
- General amnesty for those arrested after September 24 violence
- Release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the NSA.
- Negotiations between Ladakhi groups and MHA stalled in September after Wangchuk’s hunger strike.
Relevance :
- GS2: Polity & Governance
- Centre–State relations, Union Territories without legislature
- Sixth Schedule, Tribal rights, Constitutional safeguards
- Democratic deficit, decentralisation, federalism
- GS3: Internal Security
- Governance in border regions (LAC with China)
- NSA use, civil society movements, environmental activism
- GS1 (Society)
- Tribal identity, cultural preservation in Himalayan regions
Governance Structure of Ladakh
- Became a Union Territory (UT) without legislature after J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
- Administration controlled by:
- Lieutenant Governor (LG)
- Two Autonomous Hill Development Councils:
- Leh Hill Council
- Kargil Hill Council
- No elected Assembly — demand for democratic deficit & resource control.
What is the Sixth Schedule?
- Constitutional provision for tribal-majority areas ensuring:
- Autonomous District Councils with legislative, judicial and financial powers.
- Special protections over land, culture, natural resources.
- Applicable currently in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
Why Ladakh Wants Sixth Schedule Status?
- Tribal population ≈ 90% (Scheduled Tribes).
- Fears over:
- Unregulated industrialisation
- Loss of land, culture, ecology
- External demographic pressures
- Sixth Schedule seen as stronger protection than current Hill Councils.
Key Demands in the 29-Page Draft Proposal
- Full Statehood to ensure democratic governance.
- Sixth Schedule inclusion for constitutional protection of land & resources.
- General Amnesty for those arrested after September 24 clash in Leh.
- Immediate Release of Sonam Wangchuk detained under NSA.
- Resumption of stalled talks with clear timelines.
- Enhanced powers for local bodies, environmental protection, and tribal safeguards.
Why the Issue Matters?
- Involves Centre-State relations, tribal rights, UT governance.
- Part of India’s border governance strategy with China.
- Reflects challenges in post-2019 reorganisation of J&K.
- Integrates themes of environmental activism, federalism, security law use (NSA).
Challenges & Concern Areas
- Centre’s hesitation to grant 6th Schedule → precedent concerns for other UTs/states.
- Security implications due to location near LAC.
- Divergence between Leh (favors unionism) and Kargil (historically pro-statehood) narrowing, but still present.
- Rising youth discontent, seen in September 24 clashes.
Potential Outcomes Going Forward
- MHA may:
- Offer enhanced powers under Ladakh Hill Councils Act instead of Sixth Schedule.
- Consider partial concessions (cultural & land safeguards) without full autonomy.
- Set timelines for institutional mechanisms like Tribes Advisory Council.
- If negotiations stall:
- More civil society mobilisations expected.
- International attention due to climate activism angle.
