Context:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed extending certain safeguards under Article 371 of the Constitution to Ladakh as part of talks with local groups demanding constitutional protections, Sixth Schedule status, and statehood. This comes after prolonged protests in Leh and Kargil over political representation and protection of land, jobs, and culture following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Key Highlights / Details:
- Discussions were held between MHA officials and representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
- The groups have been demanding Sixth Schedule status or equivalent constitutional safeguards to protect Ladakh’s tribal identity and land rights.
- MHA has proposed special provisions for Ladakh under Article 371, which provides “temporary, transitional and special provisions” for certain states.
- Article 371 currently applies to 12 states including Nagaland, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, offering various degrees of administrative and cultural safeguards.
- The local groups also demanded the release of detained activists following protests in Leh.
- Representatives said the Centre was not keen on granting Sixth Schedule status but was open to special provisions under Article 371.
- Talks remain inconclusive as local bodies continue to insist on statehood and constitutional guarantees for land and job security.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Article 371: Special provisions for certain states to preserve cultural, economic, and social interests.
- Sixth Schedule: Constitutional provisions for administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- Union Territories with legislature: Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir (post-2019 reorganisation).
- Ladakh UT status: Created by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Centre–periphery relations and regional autonomy within the Indian Union.
- Challenges of governance in Union Territories without legislative assemblies.
- Tribal rights and constitutional safeguards.
- Balancing national security concerns in border regions with local aspirations.