New Delhi/Leh: Ladakh civil society representatives campaigning for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, submitted a list of “non-negotiable points” to officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, an IAS officer of 1996 batch, during an informal meeting in Leh.
The meeting was held ahead of a likely formal round of discussions in September, with prominent representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) participating.
The Ladakh groups presented a set of key demands that they described as non-negotiable, with particular emphasis on establishing an elected legislative and executive structure for the Union Territory and securing constitutional safeguards for the region.
Demand for Ladakh Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
One of the central demands put forward by the LAB and KDA is the establishment of an Assembly in Ladakh to be known as the Ladakh Legislative Assembly.
The groups have sought an elected government headed by a Chief Minister and a Council of Ministers, giving the region a representative political structure.
They have also demanded that the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh should act on the aid and advice of the Assembly.
According to the representatives, such an arrangement would help prevent conflicts between the elected representatives and the Lieutenant Governor, which they said have been witnessed in some Union Territories.
The demand forms part of the wider campaign for greater political representation and constitutional protection for Ladakh’s distinct cultural, linguistic and regional identity.
Constitutional Safeguards Among Key Demands
The Ladakh representatives also submitted demands seeking constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.
Sajad Kargili, a member of the Kargil Democratic Alliance who attended Wednesday’s meeting, said the KDA and LAB had clearly placed their important and non-negotiable points before the government.
He said the demands outlined the groups’ key concerns and the constitutional safeguards they believe are necessary for Ladakh.
The groups have been campaigning for Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which they argue would provide stronger safeguards for the region’s unique identity, culture, land and other interests.
Demand for Withdrawal of Cases Linked to September 24 Clashes
Apart from political and constitutional demands, the Ladakh groups also submitted a resolution seeking the unconditional withdrawal of all cases against people affected by the September 24 violent clashes.
They also demanded dignified and adequate compensation for the victims of the clashes and their families.
Sajad Kargili said the resolution was formally submitted to the government along with the list of non-negotiable demands.
The issue of cases arising from the agitation has become an important part of the discussions between Ladakh representatives and the Centre, with the civil society groups seeking relief for those who were affected during the unrest.
MHA Meeting Concludes Ahead of Likely Formal Talks
Confirming the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting, Sajad Kargili said representatives of the Kargil Democratic Alliance, Leh Apex Body and Ministry of Home Affairs participated in the discussions.
He said the Ladakh groups had used the meeting to clearly communicate their key demands to the government.
The meeting was described as an informal interaction ahead of the likely formal meeting scheduled for September.
The Ministry of Home Affairs did not issue a statement on the discussions on Wednesday.
The meeting assumes significance as the Centre and Ladakh representatives continue efforts to address longstanding demands relating to political representation, constitutional safeguards and protection of the region’s distinct identity.
Ladakh Became Union Territory Without Legislature in 2019
The current political structure of Ladakh dates back to August 5, 2019, when the Centre abrogated Article 370, which had provided special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The erstwhile state was subsequently reorganised into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, which was provided with a legislative assembly, and Ladakh, which was created as a Union Territory without a legislature.
Since then, Ladakh civil society groups have repeatedly raised demands for greater political representation and constitutional safeguards.
The demand for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status has remained at the centre of the agitation, with representatives arguing that the region needs stronger institutional mechanisms to protect its land, culture, language and interests.
Centre Had Formed High-Powered Committee in 2023
In 2023, the Union Home Ministry constituted a high-powered committee under then Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to discuss measures for protecting Ladakh’s unique culture and language.
The committee was also tasked with examining concerns arising from Ladakh’s distinctive geographical location and strategic importance.
The latest talks between the Centre and Ladakh representatives come against this broader backdrop of discussions over the region’s political and constitutional future.
The LAB and KDA have continued to press for concrete safeguards, including greater democratic representation and stronger constitutional protection.
Autonomous Hill Councils Announced for All Seven Districts
Another recent development in Ladakh’s administrative structure came last month when Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena announced that the Union Territory would have Autonomous Hill Councils in all seven districts.
The arrangement will include the five newly established districts, taking the total number of districts with Autonomous Hill Councils to seven.
The announcement is significant in the context of the ongoing debate over Ladakh’s governance structure, although civil society groups continue to demand broader political and constitutional changes.
‘Martyrs’ Month’ Planned in September
Meanwhile, the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance are observing September as ‘Martyrs’ Month’.
The two groups plan to pay tribute to those who died during the agitation over the demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
The observance is expected to coincide with the next phase of discussions with the Centre, making September particularly significant for Ladakh’s civil society movement.
The latest submission of “non-negotiable points” indicates that the LAB and KDA intend to maintain pressure for an elected legislative structure, constitutional safeguards and relief for those affected by the September 24 clashes as talks with the Centre move towards a likely formal round next month.
Background Context
Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature after the August 5, 2019, reorganisation following the abrogation of Article 370 (Jammu & Kashmir received a legislature). Civil society groups have long pressed for greater political representation and protections for the region’s distinct character and strategic location. A high-powered MHA committee was formed in 2023 under then MoS Nityanand Rai.
Recent administrative steps include plans for Autonomous Hill Councils across all seven districts. The LAB and KDA are observing September as “Martyrs’ Month” in tribute to those who died in the agitation.
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