Amid strain in talks between Ladakhi representatives and the Centre, a top official has said that Ladakhi leaders are demanding Article 370-like provisions where laws passed by parliament cannot be extended to the Union Territory without the consent of Ladakh’s proposed elected body.
On Thursday, the Ladakhi leadership rejected a draft proposal presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The main contentious issue was the powers of a proposed elected body and the constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
The representatives of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Front blamed the Centre for backtracking from understandings reached during earlier rounds of negotiations.
The draft proposal contained administrative and political framework for the Union Territory including constitutional safeguards. The Ladakhi leadership, however rejected the proposal and blamed the Centre for backtracking from the promises it has made in previous meetings. “We asked them whether this meant that they are bringing back the issue of Article 370. After meeting on Thursday, the Union Home Ministry provided a 32-page draft proposal to Ladakhi leadership.
Ashish Kundra, Chief Secretary of Ladakh, said they have asked for constitutional guarantees which include that no act of parliament would apply to Ladakh unless the proposed body gave its consent on certain subjects. That Article has already been abrogated, so there is no point in bringing that provision back in this manner,” said Kundra. Kundra said that on the issue of demand for the 6th Schedule, it was explained to Ladakh’s local representatives that this provision applies to states, particularly in the northeastern region, where a minority tribe needs protection against any discriminatory action by a majority tribe. Kundra said the draft proposal will not be submitted unilaterally. He said the constitutional amendments and proposed democratic structure in Ladakh will only emerge through talks.
