The sub-committee tasked with addressing the demands of Ladakh’s people encountered a deadlock after successive meetings with central government officials, prompting the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to seek consultation with the region’s populace for charting a way forward.
LAB and KDA have persistently advocated for Ladakh’s statehood, inclusion in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution, and the establishment of an exclusive public service commission for the region’s unique needs. Despite two consecutive meetings—one with officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Ladakh’s advisor, followed by another with Union Home Minister Amit Shah—the sub-committee failed to achieve any substantive progress.
“The meetings concluded without concrete outcomes,” stated LAB and KDA in a joint statement.
The sub-committee’s formation followed a February 19 meeting between the High Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh, led by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, and a 14-member delegation from LAB and KDA, representing various organizations of the Union Territory.
Comprising members such as Thupstan Chhewang, Chering Dorjay Lakruk, Nawang Rigzin Jora from LAB, and Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asgar Ali Karbalai, Sajjad Kargili from KDA, the sub-committee seeks to address crucial demands including equitable representation in Lok Sabha, job opportunities, and protection of Ladakh’s cultural heritage.
Amidst Ladakh’s transition from an Assembly constituency to a Union Territory post the abrogation of Article 370, the region’s aspirations for greater political representation and socio-economic development have gained momentum.
The BJP-led Centre, acknowledging Ladakh’s developmental imperatives, assured expedited progress during a meeting with the HPC in December last year. The HPC, chaired by Rai, aims to safeguard Ladakh’s cultural identity, land rights, employment generation, and empower LAHDCs.
Despite Ladakh’s long-standing quest for a separate Union Territory, realized in August 2019, recent protests by KDA and LAB underscore the urgency of fulfilling remaining demands. The sub-committee’s impasse highlights the complexity of reconciling regional aspirations with constitutional frameworks, necessitating broader consultation for a way forward.