Ladakh: Amidst Statehood Discussions Government Of India Offers Article 371.

New Delhi; May 2026: The Centre has made an offer for constitutional safeguards under Article 371, instead of the Sixth Schedule, and a legislative body for Ladakh, activists from the region said today (Saturday – 23rd May 2026) while stressing that discussions were still underway and no final agreement had been reached.

The meeting between representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), KDA and the MHA sub-committee on Friday focused on constitutional protection for Ladakh, democratic representation and the long-pending demand for statehood.

In a joint statement, after the sub-committee meeting, both LAB and KDA said they have reached an “in-principle understanding” with the Government of India on restoring democracy in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram under Article 371.

Talking to the media reporters, a day after their meeting, activist Sonam Wangchuk said the government had proposed safeguards for Ladakh on the lines of Articles 371A and 371G and agreed in principle to a governance structure for the entire region rather than limiting powers to district councils.

According to Wangchuk, the discussions centred on Ladakh’s demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule and statehood, while the government suggested safeguards under Article 371. “The government said it has some issues with the Sixth Schedule but is willing to consider protections under Article 371”. No formal statement has been issued by the Centre.

Wangchuk noted that earlier proposals had envisaged powers remaining confined to district councils in Leh and Kargil, with major decisions continuing to rest with the Lieutenant Governor and bureaucracy. “Yesterday, they agreed that whatever constitutional arrangement is created will be at the level of the whole of Ladakh and not at the district level”, Wangchuk said, calling it a significant departure from earlier proposals.

Under the proposed framework, he said, an elected institution representing the whole of Ladakh would have powers to make laws, oversee administration and exercise financial authority. “This is a very big change”, Wangchuk said, pointing out that elected representatives currently exercise limited control over Ladakh’s annual budget while most decisions are taken by officials and the Lieutenant Governor.

“The best arrangement in India is a state. We are moving in the direction of a UT with legislature or statehood”, he said. Wangchuk indicated that the Centre’s main reservation regarding statehood related to Ladakh’s financial viability and ability to sustain administrative expenditure through its own revenue. At the same time, Wangchuk cautioned against treating the latest discussions as a final settlement. “There is no reason either for disappointment or excitement. This is a work in progress. There is an in-principle understanding, not an agreement”, he said.

Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) member Sajjad Kargili said that the Centre had also proposed legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers for Ladakh and had been asked to share a formal draft for consultations with legal and constitutional experts. “A proposal has been submitted by the government. It says safeguards will be given to Ladakh under Articles 371A and 371G, and legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers will also be given”, he said.

Article 371A applies to Nagaland and provides that the Parliament cannot legislate on matters relating to the Naga religion, social practices, customary law, land rights, and civil and criminal justice, without the consent of the state assembly.

Similar protections have been given under Article 371G to Mizoram. No date has yet been fixed for the next round of discussions, though Kargili said the delegation had requested the government to share the draft before convening another meeting.

The two prominent civil society groups from Ladakh, namely: Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have been jointly demanding statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards for land and jobs, and greater democratic powers since Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019.

Team Maverick.