Right Word | Ladakh’s Constitutional Future: Why Article 371 Matters

The reason that makes Article 371 a better option for Ladakh can be found in a provision that receives little attention in the public debate

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The Union government has recently conducted the next round of a sustained process to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the Union Territory of Ladakh. On September 9, a sub-committee of the Union Home Ministry met representatives from Ladakh in New Delhi, including the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.

The decisions taken at this meeting will ensure a UT-level elected body for Ladakh. This body will have sufficient legislative, executive and financial powers. Its members will be chosen through direct elections from constituencies rather than indirectly through the hill councils.

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Under a special provision of Article 371, constitutional protection has also been accepted for land, culture, heritage, the environment and natural resources.

However, on September 10, an ultimatum was issued by some leaders from Ladakh. The government has been given one week to provide an assurance that it will pursue the Sixth Schedule instead of Article 371. If the government does not accept these demands, a protest march will be organised from September 19 to 24, with a wider agitation to follow.

That is not a negotiating position. It is an attempt to force a veto over a constitutional process that concerns all of Ladakh. While those opposing the outcome of these talks claimed that the September 9 meeting produced nothing new, many others who participated in the discussions have a different view.

Thupstan Chhewang, a former Member of Parliament who led the Leh Apex Body........

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