The Ladakh Crisis: A Deep Dive into the Demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Sixth Schedule, Union Territories, Abrogation of Article 370, National Security Act - NSA); Current Events of National Importance.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security): Security challenges and their management in border areas.
Key Highlights from the News
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent social activist from Ladakh, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
This action followed the escalation of protests demanding Statehood for Ladakh and tribal status under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
These demands intensified after the abrogation of Jammu & Kashmir's special status in 2019, which turned Ladakh into a Union Territory without a legislature.
Main Demands: Statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, job reservation for locals, and greater political representation.
The protests are led by two main organizations: Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
Although the government has formed a High-Powered Committee for discussions, the protests continue because the main demands have not been accepted.
The government has taken administrative measures like increasing job reservations. However, protestors demand strong constitutional safeguards for their land, culture, and employment, not just administrative concessions.
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