Ladakh seeks constitutional safeguards and statehood amid ongoing negotiations

Negotiations continue between the Indian government and representatives from Ladakh regarding the region's governance and constitutional protections. Following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which created the Union Territory of Ladakh, local dissatisfaction grew due to the lack of a legislature and reduced political representation.

Key demands from local groups, including the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, include full statehood, job reservations, increased parliamentary representation, and legal protections under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard land, culture, and the environment. In response, the Centre has proposed Article 371(K) and a directly elected body with legislative powers over specific local matters, though the exact distribution of power remains under discussion.

Amidst these political tensions, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed support for Ladakh’s demand for constitutional safeguards. He also called for accountability regarding a judicial inquiry into the deaths of four individuals killed by police during violent statehood protests in Leh on September 24, 2025.