Protests and Demand for Statehood in Ladakh
Protestors in Ladakh, demanding statehood and implementation of the Sixth Schedule, set a BJP office on fire, leading to police deploying teargas. The incident resulted in a shutdown organized by the Leh Apex Body, with casualties including four deaths and 30 injuries.
Understanding the Sixth Schedule
The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 of the Indian Constitution provides for the creation of autonomous administrative divisions known as Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). These councils have legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.
- ADCs can consist of up to 30 members with a five-year term.
- They can legislate on matters such as land, forest, water, agriculture, village councils, health, policing, inheritance, marriage, customs, and mining.
- The Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam is an exception with over 40 members and legislative power over 39 issues.
- The Sixth Schedule is applicable in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Background and Current Situation in Ladakh
After the creation of two new Union Territories on August 5, 2019, enthusiasm was initially high in Leh, which is Buddhist-dominated and had long sought UT status.
- Leh felt neglected by the previous state government dominated by Kashmir and Jammu politicians.
- The lack of a legislature in the UT of Ladakh has led to discontent, with administration now handled by bureaucrats.
- Fears have arisen regarding land, employment, demography, and cultural identity due to the domicile policy in J&K.
Consideration of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule
In September 2019, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes recommended Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, citing its predominantly tribal population and need to preserve cultural heritage.
- No region outside the Northeast is in the Sixth Schedule.
- Even regions like Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh with tribal populations are not included.
- The Constitution reserves the Sixth Schedule for the Northeast, and tribal areas elsewhere are covered by the Fifth Schedule.
- Inclusion of Ladakh would require a constitutional amendment, which is a government prerogative.