Ladakh’s protests for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion reflect tensions between local democratic aspirations and strategic imperatives. Post-2019 UT status, residents fear loss of tribal identity, land, and jobs, highlighting the need for institutional reforms and empowered local governance.
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Protests in Ladakh have intensified, with demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
In 2019, following Article 370 abrogation, Jammu & Kashmir was bifurcated into:
Statehood: Full statehood to restore legislative powers and self-governance.
Sixth Schedule: Protect tribal identity and rights (over 90% population are Scheduled Tribes).
Employment: Separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
Representation: Currently 1 Lok Sabha seat; demand for 2 Lok Sabha (Leh & Kargil) and 1 Rajya Sabha seat.
Loss of Autonomy: Hill Development Councils (HDCs) subordinate to Lieutenant Governor.
Environmental Stress: Fear of mining/industrialisation in fragile valleys.
Border Security: Chinese presence along Line of Actual Control (LAC); loss of grazing land for Pashmina shepherds.
Democratic Deficit: UT without legislature curtails local governance participation.
Job Shortage: 26.5% graduate unemployment (second-highest in India).
Constitutional Provision: Article 244 – Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) for tribal areas.
Current Applicability: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
Governance Structure:
Legislative Powers: Land, forests (excluding reserved), inheritance, local trade, and money-lending by non-tribals. Governor’s assent required.
Revenue & Taxation: Can collect land revenue, impose taxes, and issue licenses for minerals.
Administration of Justice: Council courts for ST disputes (max 5 years imprisonment; High Courts retain jurisdiction for serious cases).
Developmental Powers: Schools, dispensaries, markets, roads, fisheries, transport.
Applicability of Laws: Acts of Parliament/state legislature may apply with modifications.
Governor’s Powers: Can reorganize districts and appoint commissions for investigation.
National Security Priority: Ladakh’s border with China makes direct central control crucial for military logistics and infrastructure.
Original UT Demand Already Met: The Centre argues that UT status fulfilled local aspirations; new demands are an escalation.
Conflict: Local democratic aspirations clash with central strategic imperatives.
Empower Hill Councils: Strengthen Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils with more powers and larger budgets.
Legal Safeguards for Tribal Rights: Special laws to protect land ownership and reserve jobs for locals, achieving Sixth Schedule goals without full autonomy.
Trust-Building: Resume talks with Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Focus on balancing local aspirations with strategic needs.
The Ladakh protests reflect aspirations for autonomy, representation, and tribal safeguards. Constructive dialogue, institutional reforms, and trust-building are essential to maintain peace, stability, and strategic interests in this sensitive border region.
Source: INDIANEXPRESS
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Analyze the constitutional and political implications of the demand for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. 150 words |
The Sixth Schedule is a constitutional provision under Article 244 that provides for autonomous governance of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
With over 90% of the population being Scheduled Tribes, they want to protect their unique land rights, culture, and jobs from external threats like industrialization and demographic change.
A UT with a legislature (like Delhi or Puducherry) has an elected government with limited legislative powers, while a UT without a legislature (like Ladakh) is directly administered by the central government through a Lieutenant Governor.
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