Govt questions Sixth Schedule restrictions, burden on state finances in Ladakh talks India News

JAMMU: A top Union home ministry panel has raised questions over whether Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the constitution by Ladakh’s top political body would provide sufficient safeguards, a sign that New Delhi is weighing constitutional limits, financial costs and governance models as demands for statehood grow in the region.During talks in New Delhi on Wednesday, the committee asked representatives of the Leh apex body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Party (KDA) whether the Sixth Schedule – made for the northeastern tribal areas – can serve as a constitutional shield for Ladakh as it falls under Article 368 and can be amended, sources said on Thursday.The government has also sought clarity through the legislative body on the financial burden of full statehood for Ladakh, including salaries of around 19,000 employees, provident fund liabilities and other expenditures. Governing a state or union territory through a legislative body involves managing deficits and long-term fiscal responsibility, sources said, prompting the panel to pressure Ladakh activists for detailed projections.The Sixth Schedule gives special protection to land, culture and resources through autonomous committees. Ladakhis have been demanding similar safeguards and statehood demands since J&K was bifurcated into two union territories in 2019.Senior BJP functionary Tashi Gyalson, who attended the meeting as the former executive chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, called the talks a step forward. “The talks lasted two and a half hours and every member made a speech,” he told reporters. The discussions covered statehood, the Sixth Schedule and the possibility of Article 370-type safeguards.“From a broader perspective, the government said Ladakh will be given constitutional guarantees, the region will be given political power and Ladakh will be developed into a sustainable model,” Jalson said.LAB and KDA – umbrella groups of political and religious organizations from Leh and Kargil – said the discussions were fruitless. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook and KDA counterpart Asgar Ali Karbali said the two core demands of Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule remained unresolved. Both sides are expected to hold another round of talks soon.Earlier, the LAB and the KDA met the Home Ministry team on October 22, 2025 in New Delhi. The engagement comes in the wake of the Center’s decision to order an inquiry into the September 24 incident of police firing on protesters in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Four protesters were killed.On November 14, the two groups submitted a 29-page draft joint proposal to the Ministry of Interior. The document also seeks amnesty for LAB member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and others arrested following the September 24 protests.