India, Ladakh and 6th Schedule

Protest in Leh Over Statehood and Sixth Schedule Safeguards Turns Violent

On September 24, 2025, Leh city in the Union Territory of Ladakh witnessed a major protest demanding constitutional safeguards for statehood and tribal status under the Sixth Schedule. What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly escalated into violence, leaving several people dead and many others injured.

The incident reflects the growing tensions in Ladakh, where local communities feel their political and social rights remain unaddressed since the region’s reorganization in 2019. Central to their demands is inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a move seen as critical to preserving Ladakh’s tribal identity, land rights, and cultural heritage.

The Sixth Schedule: Constitutional Background

The Sixth Schedule, incorporated under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Constitution, provides for autonomous governance of tribal areas. Rooted in the recommendations of the Bardoloi Committee, it acknowledges the need for differentiated governance to protect tribal communities.

The framework empowers state Governors to establish Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs). Currently, ten such councils function across Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, demonstrating its practical application.

Key Features of ADCs:

• Structure: Each ADC can have up to 30 members, with 4 nominated by the Governor and the rest elected for five years.

• Legislative Powers: Authority to make laws on land, forests (excluding reserved forests), village administration, inheritance, marriage/divorce, and social customs. All such laws require the Governor’s assent.

• Executive Functions: Managing schools, health centers, markets, roads, and local transport systems.

• Judicial Authority: Councils can set up courts for disputes among Scheduled Tribes, except for serious crimes (punishable by death or over five years’ imprisonment).

• Financial Autonomy: Power to levy taxes, collect land revenue, impose tolls, and regulate mineral extraction.

Why Ladakh Demands Sixth Schedule Status

1. Safeguarding Land and Identity

Nearly 97% of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, yet the current framework under Article 240 lacks permanent protection for land and culture. Locals fear unrestricted land transfers to outsiders, threatening pastoral livelihoods such as Pashmina herding. The Sixth Schedule would legally block such transfers and secure traditional practices.

2. Environmental Concerns

Ladakh’s fragile high-altitude ecosystem faces mounting stress. In 2023, the region hosted over 525,000 tourists, straining scarce water resources and waste management. Large-scale projects like the 48,000-acre mega solar park and geothermal ventures in Puga risk ecological imbalance and livelihood loss. Communities see the Sixth Schedule as a safeguard to ensure sustainable development.

3. Economic and Employment Security

Graduate unemployment in Ladakh stands at 26.5%, nearly double the national average. With no dedicated Public Service Commission and limited local job creation, frustration—especially among youth—is growing. Greater autonomy under the Sixth Schedule could help tailor development planning and resource use to generate local employment.

Government’s Position and Measures

The Central Government maintains that the Sixth Schedule was designed specifically for the northeast and extending it to Ladakh would require constitutional amendments. The Ministry of Home Affairs also cites concerns about granting such autonomy in a strategically sensitive border region.

Instead, the Centre has introduced alternative safeguards:

• Employment Reservations: 85% of government jobs reserved for locals under the Domicile Certificate Rules, 2025, alongside the existing 10% EWS quota.

• Political Representation: One-third reservation for women in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) and approval for two Lok Sabha constituencies.

• Cultural Protection: Official recognition of English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi, with institutional support for languages such as Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi.

Challenges in Implementation

Experiences from the northeast highlight several challenges:

• Financial Dependence: ADCs often rely heavily on state funding, leading to budget gaps.

• Political Interference: State and central governments sometimes limit council autonomy.

• Capacity Gaps: Local governance structures may face resource and expertise constraints.

For Ladakh, security concerns add another layer of complexity. Proponents argue, however, that empowering locals could strengthen border security, as economically secure and politically respected communities are less likely to feel alienated.

Towards a Balanced Solution

Ladakh’s situation demands an innovative constitutional arrangement—one that blends the autonomy principles of the Sixth Schedule with the Union Territory’s unique security requirements.

A possible approach is to expand the powers of the LAHDC, giving it stronger legislative authority while creating oversight mechanisms to safeguard national interests. Most importantly, a sustainable resolution will require rebuilding trust through meaningful dialogue between Ladakh’s people and the Centre.