Leh: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has dismissed the latest proposals from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government as insufficient for addressing the main concerns of Ladakh, currently administered as part of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, LAB President Cherring Dorje expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s initiatives, such as the formation of new districts and the expansion of the Ladakh Scouts, during a media interview. Dorje argued that these steps do not fulfill the primary needs of the region and reiterated that the LAB’s ‘Four-Point Agenda’ is essential for resolving Ladakh’s issues effectively.
The ‘Four-Point Agenda’ put forward by LAB includes demands for constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution, separate statehood for Ladakh, the establishment of two distinct Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and a unique Public Service Commission for the area.
Dorje also mentioned that a joint delegation from LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for the resumption of discussions on their agenda. They highlighted the critical need for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections to safeguard Ladakh’s environmental and cultural heritage.
Subsequent discussions between BJP leaders from Ladakh and Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi were focused on possible new measures for the region, including additional districts and developments at Kargil and Nubra airports. Despite these talks, the prospects for achieving the desired Sixth Schedule status or statehood remain uncertain.
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution is significant for Ladakh’s community as it offers land protections and autonomy to tribal areas, which are pivotal for maintaining their distinctive identity and conserving resources. However, the government’s reluctance to extend such status continues to be a point of contention.