Governance

In pics: Ladakhis demand statehood, inclusion in Constitution’s Sixth Schedule

Ladakh residents protested at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi February 15 for statehood, constitutional safeguards, job reservations and other rights

Vikas Choudhary, Nandita Banerji
Leaders, activists and students from Leh, Ladakh and Kargil protested at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi February 15, 2023, demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule under Constitution. The demonstrators also asked the fragile ecology of their region be safeguarded. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE
Civil society groups Kargil Democratic Alliance and Leh Apex Body called the stir, titled ‘Delhi Chalo’. The protesters demanded job reservations, a separate public service commission for Ladakh and two parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil as well. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE
Environmentalist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk was also at the protest. The innovator had earlier held a five-day fast to draw attention to Ladakh’s issues and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold talks with Ladakhi leaders. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE
The non-inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule is threatening the territory, with several businesses likely to expand in the area, Wangchuk said. The innovator might consider a hunger strike if Ladakh is not protected under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, the innovator had earlier told Down To Earth. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution covers the administration of tribal areas, specifically in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. One of the most important provisions of the Schedule is that the tribal areas can be administered as autonomous districts and autonomous regions. The provisions are provided under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Constitution. Ladakh has nearly 95 per cent tribal population, Wangchuk had earlier said. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE
The inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule would give autonomy to the regional council in legislative, judicial, and financial matters. On August 5, 2019, the Parliament of India abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, revoking the temporary special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir separated into two Union Territories, a decision that Ladakhis had believed would lead to more jobs and autonomy for them. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE