Ladakh civil society groups reject Centre's draft proposal

Talks between the Centre and Ladakh hit a deadlock on Friday after key civil society groups rejected a fresh draft proposal shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance said the proposal is a departure from assurances made in earlier meetings. Members of the Ministry's High-Powered Sub-Committee had shared a 15-page draft roadmap in Leh on October 15. The groups stated that the draft fails to address demands for a legislative assembly and constitutional safeguards under Article 371. Instead, it proposes an arrangement closer to a Territorial Council model with powers concentrated in the Lieutenant Governor's administration. The bodies urged the Ministry to reconsider and accept their submitted draft Memorandum of Understanding in its entirety. Both groups plan to submit a detailed response outlining their objections on Sunday, and another round of talks is likely in New Delhi on October 22.

Context

Ladakh has seen frequent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status since it became a Union Territory. The ongoing talks aim to resolve these regional demands through a structured institutional framework.