Ladakh Leaders Demand Special Status and Legislature After Meeting Central Government
Ladakh's political groups seek constitutional safeguards and state-like legislative powers.
Source: NDTV India NewsLeaders from Ladakh met with the Central Government to discuss demands for special status under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and the creation of a separate legislature. This comes after widespread disappointment in Ladakh following its designation as a Union Territory in August 2019, which removed its special status under Article 370. The region's political and religious bodies have formed a joint committee to press for these demands, aiming to protect Ladakh's unique culture, environment, and land rights. The discussions are crucial for addressing the aspirations of the local popula
- Ladakh leaders are demanding special status under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- They are also seeking a separate legislature for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- The demands follow the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, which made Ladakh a Union Territory without a legislature.
- The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas in four North-Eastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- The Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are spearheading these demands.
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It provides for the formation of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils, which have powers to make laws on certain specified matters like land, forest, water, agriculture, and social customs.
A Union Territory (UT) is a type of administrative division in India directly governed by the Central Government. Unlike states, which have their own elected governments, UTs are administered by the President through an administrator. Some UTs, like Puducherry and Delhi, have a legislative assembly and a council of ministers.
This Act was passed by the Parliament of India in August 2019. It reorganised the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two new Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without a legislature). The Act also led to the abrogation of Article 370.
Exams often test knowledge about the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, its provisions, and the states it applies to, as well as the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Remember 'LAMM' for the states under the Sixth Schedule: Ladakh's demand is to be like Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura (AMMT).