The Ladakh Unrest: A Crisis of Trust and Unfulfilled Aspirations
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Sixth Schedule, Union Territories, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council - LAHDC); 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, and institutions for the protection of vulnerable sections.
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security): Security challenges and their management in border areas; Linkages between development and spread of extremism. (Given its border with China, unrest in Ladakh has security implications).
Key Highlights from the News
In Ladakh, protests demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for tribal communities turned violent.
The article states that mistrust between protesters and the central government, along with a perception gap, is exacerbating the problem.
Four Main Demands of the Protesters:
Full Statehood for Ladakh.
Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Job reservation for locals.
Greater political representation.
Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are the two main organizations leading the protest.
The central government claims it is trying to resolve the issue through discussions and reached an understanding in May 2025. However, protesters believe this understanding is insufficient and they need constitutional protection.
The article concludes that since Ladakh is a strategically very important (sensitive security spot) region sharing a border with China, it is essential for national security to address the legitimate aspirations of the people of Ladakh with trust.
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