In Leh and Kargil, different reasons to oppose Ladakh’s current status

Source-The Indian Express

Synopsis- LEH demand for 6th schedule for Ladakh, while Kargil has asked for the reinstatement of special status under Article 35 and 370.

Introduction-

• The Ladakhis were relieved that the Centre had granted their long-held desire to become a UT, but they were concerned about their future.
• The UT status arrived without a legislature. Thereby, it rendered the democratically elected LAHDC ineffective and powerless to make important regional decisions.
• Both Ladakh districts are concerned that land alienation, loss of identity, culture, language, and change in demography, would occur as a result of their political disempowerment.

Different demand from Ladakh districts –

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed a ten-member committee headed by MoS (Home) G Kishan Reddy to look into the demand from the Ladakh [LEH and Kargil]

LEH demand for Sixth Schedule status

• Political parties and religious organizations in LEH, have called for an independent hill council to be established under the Sixth Schedule, similar to the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam.
  • The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (Article 244 (2) and 275 (1)) safeguard tribal populations and offer considerable autonomy to vulnerable communities through the creation of Autonomous Development Councils (ADCs). It covers parts of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
  • Leaders of all Leh-based political parties had issued a call for boycott of the LAHDC elections soon after they were announced. However, they decided to change their decision after the MHA promised Sixth Schedule like protections.

Later, the demand for a legislature has been raised by the LEH political parties because the Centre has failed to offer 6th schedule like protection

Kargil demand for restoration of special status under Article 35 and 370

• However, the leaders in the Shia Muslim-dominated Kargil district are against the LEH’s demand for the 6th Schedule for Ladakh.
• Political parties and leaders in Kargil are opposed to the partition of J&K and have called for the restoration of special status under Article 35 and 370 of the Constitution, allowing the Kargil area to rejoin the Kashmir Valley.

However, it has been more than 6 months since such a committee was formed, and nothing has been done yet.

Way forward-

The Centre should engage with the political leadership of both Ladakh districts all together, allowing Leh and Kargil leaders to form a single negotiation front.