Ladakh Leaders "Hopeful" as Dialogue Over Special Rights Resumes With MHA

Srinagar: Top representatives from Ladakh Union territory on Monday held a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as part of the deliberations over the region’s demand for rights under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The meeting was held in the national capital and was headed by Minister of State Nityanand Rai, who met with the group representing several social, political and religious organisations of the Union territory.

Three members each from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) – an amalgam of bodies from Leh and Kargil divisions of the UT, respectively – attended the meeting reiterating a four-point agenda.

The demands included statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards on the lines of the Sixth Schedule (which grants autonomy to tribal communities), formation of a Public Service Commission, reservation of jobs for Ladakhis and the creation of two separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil.

Sajjad Kargil, a member of the KDA, told NewsClick that they are “hopeful” about the fresh dialogue as they put forth their demands before the ministry.

“The talks went well after we put forth our demands. The officials are also keen about the dialogue to continue, and I am hopeful for a positive outcome,” Kargili said.

The latest meeting is being termed as a breakthrough in the region where the two representative bodies led several protests since the Central government revoked the “special status” of Jammu and Kashmir state and divided the erstwhile state into two Union territories.

The two bodies were formed as concerns grew over the status of land and jobs which were earlier reserved for locals. There are also apprehensions over the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayan region that the locals believe faces exploitation in the absence of such rights. The LAB and KDC planned a year-long protest for their demands.

The last round of talks between the ministry and the representatives was held in August 2021, which did not yield any tangible results for Ladakhis, prompting protests. In January, the government also formed a high-powered committee to “discuss measures to protect the region’s unique culture and language, taking into consideration its geographical location and its strategic importance.”

Both LAB and KDA, however, opposed the move arguing that the mandate of the committee was too “vague”. During Monday’s meeting, the members said they reiterated their reservations regarding the 17-member committee. The two bodies had also expressed their resentment over the composition of the committee, which the representatives said was created ‘arbitrarily’.

“We also raised our concerns over the composition of the committee. The Ministry told us they are willing to hold discussions and revisit the decision over the committee,” Kargili said.

During the meeting, the regional leaders urged the people in Ladakh to observe a fast and hold special prayers to express support and solidarity for the representatives.