The Union Home Ministry’s high-powered committee, led by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, will hold talks with representatives from Ladakh on December 3 to address the demand for statehood and the application of the Sixth Schedule to the region.
The development follows a protest in Delhi by Ladakhi activists, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk led a Padyatra from Leh to Delhi via Himachal Pradesh in support of Ladakh's demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. He has been fasting at Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi since October 6.
Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), informed Wangchuk of the Centre’s decision to hold a meeting with Ladakhi representatives—Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance—in the presence of Chering Dorjay Lakruk, co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body.
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Following this, Wangchuk and the other protesters ended their fast and called off their sit-in.
Later, the Union Home Ministry issued a formal letter scheduling the HPC meeting for 11 am on December 3 at North Block, New Delhi.
In addition to constitutional safeguards, Ladakh has also demanded two parliamentary seats and a dedicated Public Service Commission (PSC) for the region.
“I hope this will lead to a happy ending, and I won’t have to undertake another fast. I thank everyone who supported us,” Wangchuk said.
Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa Jan told THE WEEK that he was optimistic about a breakthrough.
“We hope that our demands will be accepted,” he said. “We have four demands, and these are genuine.”
He added that he would be part of the team meeting the Union Home Ministry’s representatives under Nityanand Rai. Amid the ongoing crisis with China in Ladakh, the Centre is eager to resolve the issues with Ladakhi leaders.
In previous meetings, the Centre had maintained that Ladakh did not fully qualify for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. However, safeguards similar to those in the Sixth Schedule would be extended to the region. Ladakhi leaders continue to insist on Sixth Schedule status, arguing that 90 per cent of the region's population is tribal and needs protection for its unique identity, culture, land, and jobs.
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in certain northeastern states, granting them autonomous councils with legislative, judicial, executive, and financial powers.
