Leh | October 19, 2025 — The long-standing demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule will once again take center stage as leaders from the region meet with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on October 22. The meeting marks the latest attempt to resolve growing tensions between the Centre and local groups following months of agitation and violent protests in Leh and Kargil.
According to representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), the MHA has called for discussions with leaders from both LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—the two main organizations spearheading the movement for Ladakh’s constitutional recognition and protection of its land, jobs, and culture. The meeting will also include participation from Ladakh’s Member of Parliament, bringing together three representatives from each side.
Centre Invites Ladakh Leaders for Dialogue
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Leh Apex Body confirmed that they were officially notified by the Home Ministry about the upcoming dialogue.
“We were informed by the Home Ministry that a meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled for October 22, and both LAB and KDA are invited to it. We welcome the Government of India’s decision to initiate this dialogue and look forward to a positive outcome,” said a LAB spokesperson.
The meeting will focus primarily on two core demands — granting full statehood to Ladakh and extending constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Sixth Schedule provides special protections to tribal areas, including autonomous governance and control over land and resources, as seen in parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
The demand for such safeguards has intensified since Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory (UT)following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which also led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Background: Protests and Political Tension
The upcoming talks follow weeks of unrest in the region. On September 24, widespread violent protests erupted in Leh, during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body to press for immediate talks with the Centre. What began as a peaceful bandh escalated into clashes between protesters and security forces, leaving four people dead and several injured. Over 50 people were detained for rioting, according to police reports.
The incident marked one of the most serious flare-ups in Ladakh since the region’s UT status came into effect. Protesters alleged that the government has repeatedly failed to fulfill assurances given over the past few years regarding Ladakh’s political autonomy and cultural protection.
One of the most prominent figures in the movement, climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, was among those detained. He was taken into custody under the National Security Act (NSA) — a preventive detention law that allows authorities to hold individuals without formal charges for up to a year if deemed a threat to national security.
Wangchuk’s detention drew sharp criticism from civil society and opposition groups across the country, with many accusing the government of stifling peaceful dissent in a region that has historically been politically stable.
Earlier Talks and Stalemate
This is not the first time the Centre has attempted to engage with Ladakh’s leadership. According to government sources, preliminary talks were held on July 20, but they failed to produce any meaningful breakthrough. Leaders from LAB and KDA claimed that while the government expressed willingness to listen, there was “no substantive progress” on their key demands.
Since 2020, both groups have been organizing rallies, hunger strikes, and padayatras demanding constitutional guarantees to protect Ladakh’s demography, environment, and employment rights. The LAB and KDA have consistently emphasized that without inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem and indigenous population would be at risk due to unchecked industrial and commercial exploitation.
In March this year, the LAB submitted a detailed charter of demands to the MHA, outlining a framework for autonomous governance, land rights, and reservation for locals in education and jobs. However, the government’s response has so far been limited to the formation of committees, which local leaders say have yielded little progress.
Core Demands: Statehood and Sixth Schedule
At the heart of Ladakh’s political movement lie two interconnected demands:
- Full Statehood for Ladakh:
Since its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, Ladakh has been governed directly by the Centre through a Lieutenant Governor. Local leaders argue that this arrangement has eroded democratic representation, leaving the region without an elected legislative assembly or the power to make local laws. Statehood, they argue, would restore autonomy and ensure decisions reflect local priorities. - Inclusion Under the Sixth Schedule:
The demand for constitutional safeguards stems from fears that Ladakh’s distinct cultural and tribal identity could be diluted by unrestricted land and resource ownership by outsiders. The Sixth Schedule — applicable to certain tribal areas in India’s northeast — grants local autonomous councils legislative authority over land, forests, and cultural preservation.
Both LAB and KDA insist that only such provisions can guarantee long-term protection for Ladakh’s ecological and social fabric, particularly as the region faces increasing pressure from tourism, military infrastructure expansion, and climate change.
Centre’s Position and Challenges
The Centre has so far been cautious in responding to these demands. While it has expressed openness to dialogue, officials have cited administrative and constitutional complexities in extending the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The government has instead indicated the possibility of introducing “alternative safeguards” under Article 371 or through special legislation, similar to protections provided to other border regions.
However, these proposals have not satisfied local leaders, who insist that the Sixth Schedule remains non-negotiable. “Nothing short of Sixth Schedule status will ensure genuine local empowerment,” said a Kargil Democratic Alliance representative earlier this month.
A Region at a Crossroads
Ladakh’s ongoing agitation has transformed from a localized movement into a national issue, drawing attention from political leaders, environmentalists, and human rights activists across India. The region’s strategic importance—bordering China and Pakistan—adds another layer of sensitivity to the issue, making it a key focus of both domestic and security policy.
Many observers believe the October 22 meeting could be a decisive moment for the Centre to restore public confidence and open the door for a negotiated settlement. Analysts also point out that continued unrest in Ladakh could complicate India’s diplomatic posture in a region already marked by border tensions with China in eastern Ladakh.
Outlook for the Talks
With both the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance united on a common platform, local expectations from the meeting are high. Leaders have expressed cautious optimism that this round of discussions could produce concrete assurances rather than procedural promises.
“We want this meeting to be a turning point,” said a LAB representative. “Our people have waited for years. We seek only constitutional justice, not confrontation.”
The October 22 meeting will thus be closely watched, not only as a test of the Centre’s willingness to address Ladakh’s democratic aspirations but also as a measure of how India balances governance, federalism, and regional identity in one of its most sensitive frontier territories.
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