Govt Explores ‘Article 371-Style’ Shield for Ladakh

In a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, representatives from the region, including Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, were assure that specific provisions under Article 371 would address their concerns regarding land, employment, and cultural preservation.

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Government Rejects Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule Bid

A definitive stance emerged from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who clarified that the government cannot entertain Ladakh’s plea for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Additionally, the request for a separate legislature was also turn down, distinguishing Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory without its own legislature.

Despite this, Minister Shah expressed empathy towards the region’s concerns regarding land, employment, and culture. He assure that these issues could be effectively addresse through special provisions under Article 371, further mentioning the government’s readiness to allocate up to 80% of local jobs for the residents of Ladakh.

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Mass Protests in Ladakh

Ladakh recently witnessed widespread protests advocating for statehood, the establishment of a legislature, and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. The demonstrations also highlighted apprehensions about potential environmental degradation resulting from industrialization in the region. A leader expressed the prevailing sentiment, emphasizing the current lack of public influence in regional administration, which has become excessively bureaucratic. Despite the region’s significant demand for legislative representation, there is a notable absence of commitment from the Centre on this matter.

Sources reveal that while rejecting the call for a separate legislature, Home Minister Amit Shah assured delegations from Leh and Kargil that the government is committed to ensuring representation and involvement of local residents through hill councils.

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“He conveyed that hill councils could potentially receive substantial powers, and their budgetary allocations would be comparable to those of a state,” noted one leader from the delegation.

Currently, a government-established high-powered committee is actively examining the multifaceted demands emanating from the Ladakh region. Ministry insiders revealed that the government is inclined towards safeguarding Ladakh’s cultural, linguistic, and economic aspects, although not necessarily in the precise manner sought by the region’s representatives.

Undeterred by the current outcome, sources within the Ladakh leadership affirmed their commitment to pursuing their demands through democratic channels.

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