The Centre’s dialogue with Ladakh’s regional leadership is set to gain fresh momentum with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) scheduling another round of discussions in New Delhi on September 9, placing the region’s long-pending political and constitutional demands back in focus.
The upcoming meeting is expected to be closely watched in Ladakh, particularly as the Leh Apex Body (LAB) is convening an emergency meeting to decide whether its representatives will participate in the talks and what issues should form the core of their response to the Centre.
According to an official communication issued by the MHA and addressed to Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, the next meeting of the Sub-Committee on matters relating to Ladakh has been fixed for September 9 in New Delhi. The Chief Secretary has been asked to communicate the schedule to the members concerned and obtain their confirmation.
The meeting comes amid the Centre’s continued engagement with the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) over the political, constitutional and administrative future of the Union Territory.
LAB to Take Call on Delhi Meeting
LAB chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk has confirmed that an emergency meeting of the Apex Body will be held to deliberate on the MHA invitation.
The LAB leadership is yet to announce whether it will attend the September 9 meeting. Lakruk said a decision would be taken after discussions within the organisation.
He further indicated that in case the LAB agrees to participate, a joint LAB-KDA meeting could be held to formulate a common position and strategy for the New Delhi talks.
The move assumes importance as both regional bodies have largely been pursuing several demands jointly, including stronger constitutional protection and greater political representation for Ladakh.
Centre-Ladakh Talks Back in Focus
The September 9 engagement is likely to provide an opportunity for the Centre and Ladakh representatives to take stock of earlier discussions and examine the way forward on unresolved issues.
Representatives of the LAB and KDA are expected to be part of the deliberations along with senior officials from the Ladakh administration and the MHA.
Three representatives each from the LAB and KDA are reportedly expected to participate. Ladakh Lok Sabha member Mohd Hanifa Jan, former MP Thupstan Chhewang, Kargil Hill Council Chairman Mohd Jaffar Akhoon and former Leh Hill Council chief Tashi Gyalson are also among the leaders reportedly associated with the proposed discussions.
Regional Bodies Push for High-Powered Committee
The LAB and KDA have been seeking the convening of a meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC), headed by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, arguing that the remaining issues should be addressed at the appropriate level.
The May 22 HPC meeting had reportedly seen an in-principle understanding on the proposed creation of a UT-level elected body for Ladakh, envisaged with legislative, financial and executive powers, besides seven District Autonomous Councils.
The earlier deliberations also covered measures for strengthening democratic institutions and providing constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, with provisions comparable to those available under Articles 371A, 371F and 371G in Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram.
However, the exact structure and functioning of the proposed UT-level body remain unclear.
Powers and Structure Still Awaited
Among the issues awaiting greater clarity are the proposed name of the elected body, its membership strength and the precise powers to be exercised by its chief, deputy chief and other members.
The LAB and KDA have been demanding that such details be settled through consultations before any new institutional arrangement is finalised.
For Ladakh’s political leadership, the broader question remains whether the proposed framework will adequately address concerns relating to democratic representation, land and employment protections, cultural identity and administrative autonomy.
Statehood, Sixth Schedule Demands Remain
The latest MHA meeting also comes against the backdrop of sustained demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule-type constitutional safeguards and stronger political representation for Ladakh.
Civil society groups and regional political formations have maintained that any long-term political arrangement should provide adequate safeguards for the region’s unique demographic, cultural and geographical character.
The September 9 meeting could therefore become an important indicator of the direction in which the Centre intends to take the dialogue and whether the discussions will move towards concrete institutional and constitutional arrangements.
Panchayat Poll Preparations Underway
Meanwhile, the administrative process for grassroots elections is also progressing in Ladakh.
The Directorate of Rural Development, Ladakh has issued a draft proposal relating to Panchayat and Panch constituencies affected under the Election Commission for UTs notification in Kargil and Zanskar districts.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra has also indicated that Panchayat elections are proposed to be conducted in the Union Territory.
With electoral preparations progressing alongside the Centre’s political dialogue, Ladakh is witnessing parallel developments on the democratic and administrative fronts.
The September 9 meeting is consequently being viewed as a significant next step in the Centre-Ladakh engagement, with the response of the LAB and KDA expected to determine the course of negotiations on the region’s outstanding political and constitutional demands.