Ithy - Ladakh's Unwavering Quest: Decoding the Demand for Sixth Schedule Protections

The Union Territory of Ladakh is at a critical juncture, with its people vociferously demanding inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This call, amplified by local leaders, activists, and civil society, stems from deep-rooted concerns about preserving the region's distinct cultural identity, fragile ecosystem, traditional land rights, and securing political and economic autonomy, especially following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and its reorganization as a Union Territory without a legislative assembly.

Key Highlights of Ladakh's Demand

Cultural and Environmental Safeguarding: A primary driver is the urgent need to protect Ladakh's unique tribal heritage (with over 90-97% of the population being tribal) and its ecologically sensitive Himalayan environment from unregulated external pressures and development.
Quest for Autonomy and Self-Governance: The demand seeks the establishment of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative, judicial, and administrative powers, enabling local communities to manage their affairs, particularly land, forests, and social customs.
Ongoing Dialogue and Advocacy: Spearheaded by groups like the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), and prominent figures such as Sonam Wangchuk, the movement involves sustained protests and negotiations with the Central Government, including recent talks scheduled with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Understanding the Sixth Schedule

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, under Article 244, contains provisions for the administration of tribal areas in certain northeastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It allows for the creation of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs), which are bodies representing tribal communities. These councils are vested with significant powers to protect and preserve tribal culture, customs, and land rights.

Powers of Autonomous District Councils

ADCs under the Sixth Schedule have the authority to make laws on a variety of subjects, including:

Land management and revenue assessment.
Forest management (excluding reserved forests).
Use of canals or water-courses for agriculture.
Regulation of shifting cultivation.
Establishment of village or town committees and their powers.
Inheritance of property, marriage, divorce, and social customs.
Establishment of primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads, etc.
Control over money-lending and trading by non-tribals.

They can also constitute village councils or courts for trial of suits and cases between tribes, manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, and assess and collect land revenue and impose certain specified taxes.

Scenic view of a monastery in Ladakh, highlighting its unique landscape and culture

A monastery nestled in the breathtaking landscape of Ladakh, reflecting the region's rich cultural and natural heritage.

Why Ladakh Demands Sixth Schedule Status

Ladakh's push for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule is multifaceted, driven by a confluence of historical, cultural, environmental, and political factors that have gained prominence since its designation as a Union Territory without a legislature in August 2019.

Preservation of Tribal Identity and Culture

Ladakh is home to a predominantly tribal population, with estimates ranging from over 90% to 97%. Communities like the Changpa pastoralists, Balti, Brokpa, and others possess unique languages, customs, and traditions intrinsically linked to the land. The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A removed previous protections related to land ownership and residency. There are strong apprehensions that without constitutional safeguards like the Sixth Schedule, the influx of outsiders and unchecked development could lead to demographic changes, cultural dilution, and erosion of their distinct identity.

Protection of Land Rights and Fragile Environment

Land Alienation Fears

Prior to 2019, residents of Ladakh enjoyed specific land rights that restricted outsiders from purchasing or acquiring land. The demand for Sixth Schedule status aims to reinstate local control over land, preventing its alienation and ensuring it remains with the indigenous communities for their traditional livelihoods, such as nomadic herding and agriculture.

Ecological Concerns

Ladakh's high-altitude desert ecosystem is extremely fragile, characterized by glaciers, permafrost, and sparse vegetation. It is vulnerable to climate change and unsustainable development. The local populace fears that large-scale industrial projects, uncontrolled tourism, and resource extraction (e.g., mining) could cause irreversible damage to the environment, affecting water sources, biodiversity, and traditional pastoral routes. The Sixth Schedule would empower local councils to regulate development and enforce environmental protections.

Protesters in Ladakh demanding Sixth Schedule status

Ladakhi people protesting in cold weather, holding placards demanding constitutional safeguards and statehood.

Quest for Political Autonomy and Representation

Currently, Ladakh is a Union Territory administered directly by the central government through a Lieutenant Governor, without its own legislative assembly. This has led to a sense of political disempowerment among the local population, who feel their voices are not adequately heard in decision-making processes affecting their lives and region. The Sixth Schedule would provide a degree of self-governance through elected ADCs, allowing for local representation and democratic participation in regional administration.

Economic Security and Employment

There are concerns about job opportunities for local youth and the economic impact of new policies. The demand includes calls for a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh and job reservations for locals. Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule is seen as a mechanism to ensure that economic development benefits the indigenous population and that local resources are utilized for their welfare.

Key Players and Mobilisation

The movement for Sixth Schedule status is a united effort involving diverse stakeholders from both Leh and Kargil districts.

Leh Apex Body (LAB): An amalgam of political, social, and religious groups in Leh.
Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA): A similar coalition representing interests in Kargil.
Sonam Wangchuk: A renowned innovator, education reformist, and climate activist, Wangchuk has been a prominent voice, undertaking hunger strikes (Climate Fasts) to draw national and international attention to Ladakh's demands.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): The NCST has previously recommended the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, citing its predominantly tribal population and the need to preserve its unique cultural heritage.

Protests have included rallies, shutdowns, and hunger strikes, demonstrating the widespread public support for these demands. These mobilizations underscore the urgency felt by the Ladakhi people to secure their future.

This video explains the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and its significance in the context of Ladakh's demands for tribal rights and local governance.

Government Response and Negotiations

The Central Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has engaged in several rounds of talks with Ladakhi leaders. A High-Powered Committee (HPC) was constituted by the MHA to look into measures for protecting Ladakh's unique culture, language, land, and ensuring employment opportunities. However, some members from Ladakh felt the committee's mandate was too vague and did not directly address the core demand for Sixth Schedule status or statehood.

Despite initial rejections of the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion by the MHA, dialogue continues. As of recent reports, the MHA invited Ladakhi leaders for another round of talks on May 20, 2025, to discuss statehood, Sixth Schedule status, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and a Public Service Commission. Ladakhi leaders have also indicated a willingness to be flexible on the demands for Sixth Schedule status and statehood if the Centre grants the region a legislature or assembly.

Comparative Aspirations: Ladakh's Governance Needs

The following radar chart illustrates a conceptual comparison between the perceived current state of key governance aspects in Ladakh versus the aspirations under the potential implementation of the Sixth Schedule. The values are indicative and represent the desires for enhanced local control and protection.

This chart visually represents the significant gap between the current perceived level of autonomy and protection in various sectors and what the people of Ladakh aspire to achieve through the constitutional safeguards of the Sixth Schedule. The aspiration highlights a strong desire for greater local control over land, culture, environment, political decision-making, resources, and economic future.

Ladakh's Demands and Sixth Schedule Provisions

The table below outlines key concerns of Ladakh and how specific provisions of the Sixth Schedule could address them, offering a clearer picture of why this constitutional mechanism is being sought:

Ladakh's Concern/Demand	Relevant Sixth Schedule Provision for Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)
Protection of Land Rights & Control over Alienation	ADCs can make laws on the allotment, occupation or use, or the setting apart of land, (other than any land which is a reserved forest) for the purposes of agriculture or grazing or for residential or other non-agricultural purposes or for any other purpose likely to promote the interests of the inhabitants of any village or town.
Cultural Preservation & Protection of Social Customs	ADCs have powers to make laws on marriage and divorce, social customs, and inheritance of property.
Environmental Protection & Resource Management	ADCs can make laws on the management of any forest not being a reserved forest, the use of any canal or water-course for the purpose of agriculture. They can also regulate mining and mineral resource extraction, subject to state/union laws.
Political Autonomy & Local Self-Governance	Provides for the constitution of elected ADCs with legislative, executive, and judicial powers tailored to local needs, enabling greater local participation in governance.
Employment Opportunities & Local Economic Development	ADCs can establish, construct, or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, cattle pounds, ferries, fisheries, roads, road transport and waterways. They can also regulate money-lending and trading by non-tribals.
Preservation of Tribal Identity	The entire framework is designed to protect and empower tribal communities by granting them autonomy over their affairs.

Mapping the Core Issues: Ladakh's Aspirations

This mindmap illustrates the interconnected factors driving Ladakh's demand for Sixth Schedule status, the key provisions of the schedule, the main actors involved, and the current situation surrounding this critical issue. It provides a visual overview of the complexities and core components of Ladakh's quest for constitutional safeguards.

mindmap root["Ladakh's Demand for Sixth Schedule"] id1["Key Drivers"] id1a["Cultural Preservation
(90-97% Tribal Population)"] id1b["Environmental Protection
(Fragile High-Altitude Ecosystem)"] id1c["Land Rights
(Post-Article 370 Concerns)"] id1d["Political Autonomy
(Union Territory without Legislature)"] id1e["Economic Security
(Local Employment & Resource Control)"] id2["Sixth Schedule Provisions"] id2a["Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)"] id2b["Legislative Powers
(Land, Forests, Social Customs, etc.)"] id2c["Judicial Powers
(Village Courts)"] id2d["Administrative & Financial Powers"] id3["Key Stakeholders & Actors"] id3a["Leh Apex Body (LAB)"] id3b["Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)"] id3c["Sonam Wangchuk
(Activist, Climate Fasts)"] id3d["National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
(Recommended Inclusion)"] id3e["Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
(Central Government)"] id4["Current Status & Implications"] id4a["Ongoing Negotiations with MHA
(Talks on May 20, 2025)"] id4b["Sustained Protests
(Hunger Strikes, Rallies)"] id4c["Constitutional Amendment Required"] id4d["Potential First Union Territory
under Sixth Schedule"] id4e["Strategic Importance of Region"]

Significance and Path Forward

If Ladakh's demand is met, it would be a landmark decision, making it the first Union Territory to be included under the Sixth Schedule, a status that currently only applies to tribal areas within states. This would require a constitutional amendment. Granting this status would acknowledge the unique geographical, cultural, and strategic importance of Ladakh.

The resolution of this demand is crucial not only for safeguarding the rights, identity, and livelihoods of the Ladakhi people but also for ensuring sustainable and inclusive development in this ecologically sensitive border region. The ongoing dialogues between Ladakhi representatives and the central government are pivotal in determining the future administrative and constitutional framework for Ladakh.