Leh Apex Body Rejects BJP Proposals, Demands Constitutional Safeguards for Ladakh

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has firmly rejected the latest proposals from the BJP-led Indian government regarding Ladakh in Indian-illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling them insufficient to address the region’s core issues.

LAB President Cherring Dorje criticized the measures, including the creation of new districts and the addition of another battalion under the Ladakh Scouts, as inadequate. Dorje stressed that these actions fail to meet the fundamental demands of Ladakh’s leadership. He reiterated that the LAB’s ‘Four-Point Agenda’ remains the only effective solution to the region’s challenges.

The LAB’s ‘Four-Point Agenda’ includes constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, statehood for Ladakh, the creation of two separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and a distinct Public Service Commission for the region.

Dorje revealed that a joint delegation from the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) recently met with Narendra Modi. They presented a memorandum urging the resumption of discussions on the ‘Four-Point Agenda,’ emphasizing the urgent need for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections to preserve Ladakh’s ecological and cultural heritage.

Following this meeting, a BJP delegation from Ladakh met with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. Media reports suggest that the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs is considering new measures for Ladakh, including creating additional districts and accelerating work on the Kargil airport. However, it seems unlikely that the long-sought Sixth Schedule status or statehood will be granted.

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides protections for land and grants autonomy to tribal areas, which people in Ladakh believe is crucial for preserving their unique identity and resources. Despite this, the Indian government remains reluctant to grant this status.