Introduction
The demand for Sixth Schedule status has intensified in Ladakh, driven by concerns over cultural preservation, environmental protection and political autonomy following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Despite several rounds of talks with the central government, local leaders and activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, continue to insist on constitutional safeguards to protect the region’s unique identity and fragile ecosystem, reflecting widespread public discontent and unity in Leh and Kargil.
Brief Overview of the Geographical and Cultural Significance of Ladakh
Geographical Significance
Ladakh is one of the most populous regions in India, known for its high-altitude terrain, which includes parts of the Himalayas and the Karakoram mountain ranges. It extends from the Siachen Glacier in the north to the Great Himalayas in the south, and is bounded by Tibet in the east, Himachal Pradesh in the south, and Jammu and Kashmir in the west. The region is characterized by its rugged topography, barren slopes, and unique cold desert climate.
Cultural Significance
Culturally, Ladakh is closely related to Tibet with significant influence from Tibetan Buddhism. The region is known for its monasteries (gompas), traditional music, dance, and festivals such as Hemis Tsechu and Losar. The population is a mixture of Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus, with a rich heritage of customs, languages and traditional practices.
Historical Context
Pre-2019 Status
Ladakh’s Status as Part of Jammu and Kashmir
- Special Provisions: Ladakh was part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which enjoyed special autonomy under Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian Constitution. These provisions allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution and limited the legislative powers of the Indian Parliament over the state.
- Cultural and demographic differences: The Buddhist-majority population of Ladakh is in stark contrast to the Muslim-majority population of Jammu and Kashmir, raising concerns about resource allocation, political representation, and cultural preservation.
Governance and Autonomy under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)
- Formation and Role: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) was established in the year 1995 to provide more autonomy and facilitate local governance. The council was responsible for economic development, healthcare, education and local governance, working closely with village panchayats.
Post-2019 Changes
Impact of abrogation of Article 370 on governance and autonomy of Ladakh
- Repealing and reorganisation: On August 5, 2019, the Government of India abrogated Article 370 which led to the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The move removed the special status and brought Ladakh directly under the central administration.
- Governance Structure: As a union territory, Ladakh does not have a legislative assembly and is governed by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the central government. This change centralized administrative control and aimed to integrate Ladakh more closely with the rest of India.
Emergence of Demands for Sixth Schedule Status
- Cultural and Environmental Concerns: The abrogation of Article 370 led to fears about loss of cultural identity, land rights, and environmental degradation. Local leaders and activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, have been advocating for the sixth schedule status to protect Ladakh’s unique cultural and ecological landscape.
- Political Movements: The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance have been at the forefront of demanding Sixth Schedule status, organising protests and engaging in negotiations with the central government in exploring constitutional safeguards for the region.

The Sixth Schedule: An Overview
Constitutional Provisions
Explanation of the Sixth Schedule under Articles 244(2) and 275(1)
- Article 244(2): This Article specifies that the provisions of the Sixth Schedule shall apply to the administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
- Article 275(1): This Article provides grants to States from the Consolidated Fund of India with the objective of promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and raising the level of administration in Scheduled Areas to the rest of the State.
Key Features: Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils (RCs)
- Autonomous District Councils (ADCs): ADCs are established to administer areas with significant tribal populations, granting them a degree of self-government. Each ADC consists of 30 members, with 26 elected and 4 nominated by the Governor.
- Regional Councils (RCs): RC is formed within ADC if there are different tribes in an autonomous district. They have the same powers and functions as ADCs but focus on specific areas within the district.
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Powers of ADCs and RCs
- Legislative Powers: ADCs and RCs can legislate on specified subjects such as land, forest, water resources, agriculture, village administration and social customs. The assent of the governor is required to enforce these laws.
- Executive Powers: The ADC and RC have the authority to manage local infrastructure, including primary schools, markets, roads and health facilities. They can also regulate trade and commerce within their jurisdiction.
- Judicial Powers: The ADC and RC can set up village and district courts to adjudicate disputes involving tribal members. These courts handle civil and criminal cases, except those cases that involve a severe punishment like death or imprisonment of more than five years .
Current Implementation
States Currently Under the Sixth Schedule
- The Sixth Schedule is currently in force in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Comparison with the Fifth Schedule
- Applicability
- 5th Schedule: Applies to Scheduled Areas in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- 6th Schedule:: Applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- Governance
- 5th Schedule:: Administered by the Governor with the help of Tribes Advisory Councils.
- 6th Schedule:: Administered by Autonomous District Councils and Regional Councils with legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
- Legislative Powers
- 5th Schedule:: Limited to the Governor’s regulations and state legislature’s laws.
- 6th Schedule:: ADCs and RCs can make laws on specified subjects with the Governor’s assent.
- Financial Assistance
- 5th Schedule:: Grants-in-aid provided under Article 275(1) for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
- 6th Schedule:: Similar grants-in-aid provided, but with more autonomy in financial management by ADCs and RCs.
Ladakh’s Demand for Sixth Schedule Status
Rationale Behind the Demand
- Protection of Tribal Identity and Culture
- Cultural Protection Measures: The Sixth Schedule provides a legal mechanism to protect the unique cultural heritage and traditional customs of tribal communities. For Ladakh, it is important to preserve its unique cultural identity, which includes Tibetan Buddhist traditions and practices.
- Tribal Population: More than 97% of Ladakh’s population is tribal, so there is a strong need to protect their cultural and social practices from external influences and demographic changes.
- Autonomy in Governance and Local Decision-Making
- Self-Government: The Sixth Schedule allows for the creation of autonomous district councils (ADCs) and regional councils (RCs), which can legislate on matters such as land, public health, and agriculture. This autonomy is seen as necessary for Ladakh to manage its own affairs and reduce bureaucratic access from the central government.
- Local empowerment: More local governance will enable Ladakhis to make decisions that directly impact their lives, ensuring that development policies are tailored to local needs and contexts.
- Environmental
- Ecological conservation: Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem, including its high-altitude deserts, glaciers, and unique wildlife, faces threats from large-scale tourism, mining, and industrial projects. The Sixth Schedule can provide the necessary legal framework to protect these natural resources.
- Sustainable practice: Autonomous councils can implement and implement sustainable development practices that align with the environmental needs of the region, ensuring long-term ecological balance.
- Socio-Economic Development and Addressing Unemployment
- Ecological conservation: Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem, including its high-altitude deserts, glaciers, and unique wildlife, faces threats from large-scale tourism, mining, and industrial projects. The Sixth Schedule can provide the necessary legal framework to protect these natural resources.
- Sustainable practice: Autonomous councils can implement and implement sustainable development practices that align with the environmental needs of the region, ensuring long-term ecological balance.
Key Proponents and Movements
- Role of Sonam Wangchuk and Other Activists
- Sonam Wangchuk: A prominent environmentalist and educationist, Wangchuk has been a vocal advocate for Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. He has led several protests and hunger strikes to draw attention to the issue, stressing the need for constitutional safeguards to protect the environment and culture of Ladakh.
- Worker support: Other local activists and community leaders have joined Wangchuk’s efforts, highlighting widespread support for the demand among Ladakhis.
- Involvement of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)
- Leh Apex Body (LAB): This coalition of socio-religious groups, youth organisations and political parties of Leh has been at the forefront of the agitation, organising protests and engaging in dialogue with the central government.
- Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA): Representing the interests of Kargil, the KDA has also been actively involved in the demand for Sixth Schedule status. Together with the LAB, they have formed a united front to press for their demands.
- Public Protests and Hunger Strikes
- People’s mobilisation: Several protests, rallies and hunger strikes are being organised across Ladakh to demand Sixth Schedule status. These actions have brought national attention to the issue and demonstrated strong local support for demand.
- Hunger Strike: The hunger strike, especially under the leadership of Sonam Wangchuk, has been a powerful tool in the movement, symbolizing the urgency and seriousness of the demand for constitutional safeguards.
Arguments in favor of giving Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh
Cultural Preservation
Importance of preserving Ladakh’s unique cultural heritage
- Cultural significance: The culture of Ladakh is a blend of Tibetan Buddhism and local traditions, which is reflected in its festivals, music, dance, and language. It is important to preserve this heritage to maintain the identity of the area.
- Threat to Culture: Rapid modernization and external influences threaten the traditional customs and practices of Ladakh. The Sixth Schedule may provide legal safeguards to protect and promote the cultural heritage of Ladakh.
Empowerment of Local Communities to Manage Cultural and Social Affairs
- Local Governance: The Sixth Schedule empowers local communities through autonomous district councils (ADCs) and regional councils (RCs), allowing them to independently manage cultural and social affairs.
- Community involvement: This autonomy ensures that decisions regarding cultural preservation are made by those who are most invested in maintaining their traditions, leading to more effective and culturally sensitive governance.
Environmental Protection
Ladakh’s Fragile Ecosystem and the Need for Sustainable Management
- Ecological Sensitivity: Ladakh’s climate is extremely fragile, with unique flora and fauna adapting to its cold desert climate. Uncontrolled growth poses significant risks to this fragile ecosystem.
- Impact of Climate Change: The region is highly vulnerable to climate change, with melting glaciers and changing weather patterns threatening water resources and biodiversity.
Potential for Local Laws and Policies to Protect Natural Resources
- Sustainable practice: The Sixth Schedule allows for the formulation of local laws that can enforce sustainable practices and ensure that development does not occur at the expense of environmental degradation.
- Resource management: Autonomous councils can implement policies tailored to Ladakh’s unique environmental needs, such as water conservation technologies and renewable energy projects.
Economic Development
Opportunities for Community-Led Economic Initiatives
- Local enterprises: The Sixth Schedule can facilitate the development of community-led economic initiatives, such as eco-tourism, traditional crafts, and sustainable agriculture, that align with local needs and capabilities.
- Economic diversification: By promoting local industries, Ladakh can reduce its dependence on external economic forces and build a more resilient local economy.
Addressing Unemployment and Promoting Local Industries
- Employment generation: Autonomous councils can develop policies that specifically address local unemployment issues, creating jobs in sectors such as tourism, handicrafts, and renewable energy.
- Skill Development: Focused initiatives can be launched to enhance the skills of the local workforce, making them more competitive and self-reliant.
Political Autonomy
Enhancing Local Governance and Reducing Bureaucratic Overreach
- Decentralized Governance: The Sixth Schedule provides a framework for decentralized governance, which often reduces the reach of the bureaucracy that deals with the central administration.
- Local decision-making: Empowering local councils ensures that decisions are made closer to those they influence, leading to more responsive and effective governance.
Ensuring Representation and Participation in Decision-Making
- Inclusive governance: The establishment of autonomous councils under the Sixth Schedule ensures that local communities contribute significantly to governance, thereby increasing democratic participation.
- Accountability: Local governance structures are more accountable to the people, ensuring that policies and projects are implemented in a way that benefits the local population.
Arguments against granting Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh
Legal and Administrative Challenges
Constitutional Amendments Required for Inclusion
- Need for amendment: The inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule would require a constitutional amendment, as the current provisions clearly reserve the Sixth Schedule for the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
- Legislative Hurdles: The process of amending the Constitution is complex and requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament, which can be challenging to achieve given diverse political interests.
Potential Conflicts with Existing Governance Structures
- Governance Overlap: The introduction of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Ladakh may clash with the existing administrative structure, including the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and the UT administration.
- Bureaucratic complexity: Adding another layer of governance can complicate administrative processes, potentially delaying decision-making and implementation of policies.
Concerns of Disparity
Risk of Creating Disparities Among Different Regions and Communities
- Regional disparity: Granting Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh may create disparities between regions within the Union Territory, especially between Leh and Kargil, which have different demographic and cultural compositions.
- Resource Allocation: There is concern that the allocation of resources and development funds may be uneven, which can give some regions preference over others, exacerbating regional inequalities.
Possible Conflicts Between Tribal and Non-Tribal Populations
- Social Tensions: The implementation of the Sixth Schedule may lead to tensions between tribal and non-tribal populations, as special provisions primarily benefit tribal communities, leading to a sense of exclusion among non-tribal residents.
- Cultural Conflicts: Differences in cultural practices and governance preferences between tribal and non-tribal groups can result in conflict and undermine social cohesion in the region.
Effectiveness of Existing Provisions
Arguments That Current Governance Mechanisms Can Address Local Needs
- Current Structure: Proponents argue that the current governance mechanisms, including direct administration by the LAHDC and the Union Territory, are adequate to meet the local needs of Ladakh’s population.
- Development Initiatives: The central government has been providing substantial funds and assistance for the development of Ladakh, which can be effectively utilised within the existing administrative framework without the requirement of Sixth Schedule status.
Central Government’s Stance and Alternative Proposals
- Government’s position: The Ministry of Home Affairs has cited constitutional limitations and existing provisions under the Fifth Schedule for other tribal areas of India, indicating that it is not possible to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule.
- Alternative measures: The central government has proposed alternative measures, such as extending protections like Article 371 in Ladakh, which can provide special provisions for the protection of land, culture and resources without the need for Sixth Schedule status.
Current Status and Future Prospects
Government’s Response
Central Government’s Position and Negotiations with Local Leaders
- Round of interaction with representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). These discussions have focused on addressing demands for greater autonomy and preservation of Ladakh’s cultural and environmental heritage. The government is trying to find a middle ground without amending the Constitution that addresses local concerns.
Recent Developments and Statements from Political Leaders
- High-powered committee: The MHA formed a high-powered committee to examine Ladakh’s demands, including the possibility of extending security like Article 371. The purpose of this committee is to find a middle ground that addresses local concerns without amending the Constitution. The government is exploring alternative measures to provide constitutional safeguards for Ladakh’s cultural and environmental identity.
- Political leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, have assured that the government is committed to protecting the interests of Ladakh. However, they have also stressed the challenges of including Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule and proposed alternative measures to protect the unique identity of the region. Government is ready for dialogue and negotiation to meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh while ensuring constitutional legitimacy.
Public Sentiment and Ongoing Protests
- Widespread Support for Sixth Schedule: There is significant public support for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh. This support is driven by concerns over cultural preservation, environmental protection, and political autonomy. Grassroots movements led by prominent personalities like Sonam Wangchuk have mobilised large sections of the population. These movements have highlighted the urgency of the issue and underlined the need for constitutional safeguards.
- Protests and hunger strikes: Activists and local organizations have organized several protests, rallies and hunger strikes to press their demands. These actions have drawn national attention and underscored the urgency of the issue. The protests reflect the deep aspirations of the people of Ladakh for greater autonomy and protection of their cultural identity.
Future Plans and Strategies of Activists and Local Organizations
- Continued advocacy: Activists and local organizations plan to continue their advocacy for Sixth Schedule status. They aim to keep pressure on the central government through sustained protests and public awareness campaigns. These efforts ensure that the government meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Ladakh and provides constitutional safeguards for their cultural and environmental identity.
- Strategic Alliance: LAB and KDA have formed strategic alliances to present a united front in dialogue with the government. They are also exploring legal avenues to challenge the government’s decisions and seek constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. These alliances aim to strengthen the bargaining position of Ladakh representatives and ensure that their demands are effectively addressed.
- Focus on elections: Workers are taking advantage of the upcoming elections to highlight their demands and garner political support. They are urging local residents to vote for the candidates.
Conclusion
Finally, Ladakh’s demand for Sixth Schedule status reflects deep concerns over cultural preservation, environmental protection and political autonomy. Despite the central government’s reluctance and the ongoing negotiations, public sentiment remains strong, with widespread protests and advocacy led by celebrities like Sonam Wangchuk. The future of this movement hinges on meaningful dialogue and possible alternative solutions to address the unique needs and aspirations of the people of Ladakh.
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