The Center has issued few guidline for ladakh under Article 240 rather than granting them the 6th schdule status …
as it was widely requested to address the long standing demand for job reservation ,language recognition & political representaion of Ladakh People , The people of Ladakh, where 97% of the population is tribal, have been protesting to demand that the Union Territory be brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution . These protests have sometimes involved hunger strikes to bring attention to the need for legislation protecting Ladakh’s environment and culture .
What is the Sixth Schedule?
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution includes provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram . It establishes autonomous councils that possess legislative, judicial, executive, and financial powers to govern these areas independently . These councils can make laws on land use, conservation, welfare, and cultural preservation .
Why Ladakh is seeking inclusion:
- Constitutional Protection: Unlike regulations issued under Article 240 (which can be revoked or amended unilaterally by the Centre), the Sixth Schedule is constitutionally protected, ensuring greater autonomy and security for local governance .
- Land Rights: The Sixth Schedule is needed to restrict non-domiciles from buying land in Ladakh, whose fragile ecosystem is threatened by unchecked tourism and infrastructure development .
- Legislative Autonomy: The Sixth Schedule provides for Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) that can legislate on land, forests, water resources, customary laws, and education .
- Cultural Recognition: Sixth Schedule status is essential for preserving indigenous languages and ensuring education in local languages .
In 2019, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) found that 97% of Ladakh’s population consists of tribes and suggested that Ladakh be placed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution .
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