Protest Rallies in Ladakh over Statehood, Sixth Schedule demands

Syllabus: GS2/Polity & Governance

Context

• Protest rallies were held in Ladakh recently for Statehood status and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.

Background

• Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 without a Legislative Assembly after Article 370 of the Constitution was struck down by the Parliament.
• A year later, the region comprising Buddhist-dominated Leh and Muslim-dominated Kargil districts erupted in protests, demanding constitutional safeguards such as statehood for Ladakh, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to grant it tribal status, job reservation for locals, and separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.

Sixth Schedule of the Constitution

• The Sixth Schedule was adopted under Article 244 of the Constitution with provisions for formation of autonomous administrative divisions within a state. 
  • The Sixth Schedule is applicable to what are officially called as ‘tribal areas’ in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. There are 10 such ‘tribal areas’ at present in these four States.
  • These divisions, in the form of ADCs, were granted certain legislative, judicial and administrative autonomy within the state.
• Composition: According to the Sixth Schedule, the ADCs administering a region within a state have 30 members with a term of five years.
  • The Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam is an exception to this with more than 40 members and rights to make laws on 39 issues.
• Jurisdiction: ADCs can make laws, rules and regulations with regard to land, forest, water, agriculture, village councils, health, sanitation, village and town level policing, inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs, and mining, among other issues.
  • ADCs also have powers to form courts to hear cases where both parties are members of Scheduled Tribes and the maximum sentence is less than 5 years in prison.
• The Governor is the central authority for the functioning of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils.

Major Concerns of People of Ladakh

• Lack of Political Autonomy: As a Union Territory without an assembly, all major decisions are taken by the Lieutenant Governor and central ministries, which limits local involvement.
• Demographic Changes: There is fear of a demographic imbalance due to migration, which could threaten the cultural and ethnic composition of the region.
• Environmental Degradation: Rapid infrastructure development and mass tourism have led to depletion of water sources, waste problems, and ecological stress.
• Youth Discontent: High unemployment and lack of educational and professional opportunities are fueling frustration among youth.

Key Demands

• Constitutional Safeguards (Sixth Schedule): Ladakhis seek inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which provides autonomy and land protection for tribal areas.
• Full-fledged Statehood or Legislative Assembly: Currently, Ladakh is a Union Territory without a legislative assembly.
  • There is a demand for greater political representation and democratic governance through either full statehood or a legislature for better local decision-making.
• Job Reservation and Local Employment Opportunities: Concerns about outsiders occupying government and private posts have led to calls for exclusive job quotas.
• Environmental Protection Laws: Given Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem, there is a demand for strict environmental regulations to curb unplanned tourism and infrastructure projects.
• Protection of Cultural and Religious Heritage: The Buddhist population, particularly in Leh, seeks protection of Tibetan-Buddhist heritage and monastic traditions.
• Economic Development with Local Participation: There are demands for inclusive development that benefits local communities, especially in sectors like tourism, solar energy, and agriculture.

Way Ahead

• A sustainable and peaceful future for Ladakh requires a careful balancing of national interests with local aspirations. 
• Recognizing the unique cultural, geographical, and demographic characteristics of the region and embedding these into governance structures  will be key to ensuring long-term stability and satisfaction among Ladakh’s people.

Source: TH