Ladakh Protest Explained: Demands, Reason & 6th Scheduled

Ladakh Protest News: On February 3, 2024 a massive protests erupted in the districts of Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, following a call for a complete shut

Ladakh Protest News: On February 3, 2024 a massive protests erupted in the districts of Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, following a call for a complete shutdown by local groups opposing constitutional amendments made after Article 370 was abrogated.

This shutdown was orchestrated by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), two prominent organizations leading the movement to secure special rights for Ladakh's populace following its separation from Jammu and Kashmir.

These organizations are advocating for the reinstatement of Ladakh's statehood, which was demoted to a Union territory without its own legislature in 2019. Their demands also include the recognition of Ladakh as a tribal area under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution, the reservation of jobs for local residents, and the allocation of a separate parliamentary seat for each of the Leh and Kargil districts.

Reports from The Wire indicate that the shutdown was widely observed across both districts, with commercial activities halted and public transportation services significantly reduced, affecting even distant areas like Zanskar and Nubra Valley.

Why are there protests in Ladakh? (ladakh protest reason)

The protests in Ladakh stem from the region losing its special status and the powers that came with statehood after Article 370 was annulled in 2019. This move sparked a series of resolutions from Ladakh's two hill councils, reflecting the local population's concerns and demands.

On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and split the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, with an elected legislature, and Ladakh, without one. Since then, Ladakh has been governed without local legislative representation.

The Leh council has passed resolutions demanding constitutional safeguards to protect land rights, job guarantees, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and the extension of constitutional provisions to the hill councils. The Kargil council's resolution specifically calls for restoring statehood to Ladakh, granting it Sixth Schedule status, providing two parliamentary seats instead of one, and ensuring job security along with swift recruitment processes.

In the 2019 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections, which were won by the BJP, the party pledged to work towards reinstating Ladakh's statehood. Despite some support from the ruling party, the fulfillment of these demands has been complicated, with some leaders torn between adhering to popular local demands and aligning with the central government's policies.

How have the protests developed?

For the last four years, Ladakh has experienced several shutdowns due to worries about local people losing power and too much control from government officials. In August 2021, two groups, LAB and KDA, joined together to push for their rights more strongly.

Sonam Wangchuk, a respected teacher and activist who spoke at a protest, mentioned that government leaders had promised to give Ladakh certain protections (called the Sixth Schedule) after changing Article 370, but then didn't talk about it anymore. He said that now, some companies want to use Ladakh's resources unfairly, and he's fighting to protect Ladakh's rights.

There was also a big protest in Kargil, where many people came out to ask for the same protections and job guarantees for locals.

In January, LAB and KDA organized a protest and announced they would have more protests, including one in Delhi. They said they felt ignored by the government, despite trying to talk about their concerns.

Leaders from these groups said they've been trying to protect Ladakh's interests and have met with government officials, but they're ready to protest more if their demands aren't met. They want two things, in particular: separate representation in the government for Leh and Kargil, and more job opportunities for local people. They're planning more protests in different places and are considering strikes if they don't see any action from the government.

What are the demands of the Protesters in Ladakh?

The people of Ladakh are asking for four main things:

Statehood for Ladakh: They want Ladakh to become its own state. This would allow Ladakh to have more control over its own matters and make decisions without as much influence from the central government.

Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule: They are seeking protections under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This would help protect the rights related to culture, language, and land, which is important because 80% of Ladakh's people belong to tribal communities.

Job Reservations for Locals: They want more job opportunities to be reserved for the people of Ladakh, giving the youth better access to jobs and economic growth. They also want a Public Service Commission set up in the region to oversee these opportunities.

Separate Parliamentary Constituencies: They are asking for Leh and Kargil to each have their own representation in Parliament, recognizing the unique characteristics and needs of each district based on their population and geographical features.

Ladakh's demand for Implementation of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution is designed to ensure that tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram are administered in a way that safeguards the rights of the tribal population in these states. It is referenced under Article 244(2), which stipulates its application to the administration of tribal areas in these states, and Article 275(1), which guarantees annual financial assistance from India's Consolidated Fund to improve the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.

Key Features of the Sixth Schedule:

Autonomous District Councils (ADCs): The Sixth Schedule enables the creation of Autonomous District Councils to provide self-governance to tribal areas. These ADCs have legislative and judicial powers to make laws on certain subjects and adjudicate in specific types of legal disputes, under the supervision of the respective state's High Court.

Legislative Powers: ADCs can legislate on matters such as land use, forestry, agriculture, and the control of money lending and trading, tailored to the unique needs of the tribal communities they serve.

Judicial Powers: They can also establish courts to adjudicate cases for tribal members, with sentences of up to five years.

Financial Powers: ADCs possess the authority to levy and collect taxes, fees, and tolls on various businesses and activities within their jurisdiction, providing them with resources to fund development and welfare initiatives.

Ladakh's Demand for Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule:

In the context of Ladakh, the push for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule comes from a desire to protect and preserve the unique cultural identity, land rights, and employment opportunities of its tribal populations, which comprise a significant portion of the UT's demography. Implementing the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh would grant similar autonomous governance structures, potentially in the form of Autonomous District Councils, to manage its affairs according to the needs and aspirations of its indigenous communities.

Who is Leading the Protest in Ladakh?

The movement for the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule is spearheaded by a coalition of groups from both the Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil districts. Key players include:

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which represent the interests of their respective communities.

Renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been vocal about the need for constitutional protections for Ladakh.

Ladakh's sole Member of Parliament, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal from the BJP, has also advocated for measures to safeguard Ladakh's land, employment, and cultural identity post the revocation of Article 370 and its designation as a Union Territory without a legislature.

Conclusion

The people in Ladakh are unhappy with the Indian government and are planning to protest more. They are joining a hunger strike started by Sonam Wangchuk because the government did not listen to their requests. They want special rights under the Sixth Schedule and for Ladakh to be its own state again, like it was before 2019.

A big group of people in Kargil showed their support for Wangchuk, who has been not eating, only drinking water and salt, to protest. They want the government to give them more control and rights over their land and jobs.

Leaders from Kargil are also going to join Wangchuk's hunger strike. They have been asking the government to keep their promises to Ladakh. Wangchuk is also planning a big march to show the problems they are facing because of not having enough control over their land.

The leaders are planning what to do next and say that everyone in Ladakh, no matter where they are from or what religion they follow, wants these changes. They want the government to give Ladakh more power, make sure locals get jobs, and have their own representatives in the government.

Source:

• The Wire 
• The Wire
• Outlook