The Union Government has agreed to examine how the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution can be implemented in Ladakh’s context, according to an understanding reached between civil society leaders and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials on Saturday. In the next meeting, legal and constitutional experts from civil society and government officials will come together to discuss the legality and the context of granting Statehood to Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 of the Constitution protects tribal populations, allowing for the creation of autonomous development councils which can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture. As of now, 10 autonomous councils exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
On Saturday, members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing the Buddhist majority and Shia Muslim-dominated regions respectively in Ladakh met MHA officials for a third round of meetings since December 4. The LAB and KDA are jointly demanding Statehood for Ladakh, the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule thus giving it a tribal status, job reservations for local residents, and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil.
