The Kargil Democratic Alliance has rejected the Union government's draft governance framework for Ladakh, citing concerns about insufficient legislative, executive, and financial powers for the proposed elected body. The rejection follows a meeting between alliance members and home ministry officials, where it was agreed that statehood would remain the ultimate aspiration of the people of Ladakh.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance, a leading advocacy group for greater democratic representation in Ladakh, has rejected the Union government’s draft governance framework for the region. The rejection comes after a meeting between alliance members and home ministry officials to discuss the issue last week, where it was agreed that statehood would remain the ultimate aspiration of the people of Ladakh.
According to reports by The Indian Express and The New Indian Express, talks have since stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress. The rejection is based on concerns about insufficient legislative, executive, and financial powers for the proposed elected body under the draft framework.
The Union government presented the draft on October 15, which the alliance contends would give the Lieutenant Governor and the bureaucracy overriding authority, leaving the proposed elected body with little power. The Kargil Democratic Alliance has proposed a governance model and constitutional safeguards based on Articles 371 (A-J), customised as Article 371-K for Ladakh.
These provisions give certain states special constitutional protections and, in some cases, greater autonomy over matters including land, customary practices, administration, and development. The alliance alleges that the draft presented by the home ministry at the October 15 meeting instead places the proposed governance structure under Article 240, which allows the President to make regulations for the administration of certain Union territories.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance warned of protests and shutdowns if the home ministry fails to implement the agreed-upon governance framework. The alliance Co-Convener Asgar Karbalai said that the minutes of the May 22 meeting, signed by ministry officials and leaders on July 6, recorded an understanding that statehood would remain the ultimate aspiration of the people of Ladakh.
In addition to statehood, the Kargil Democratic Alliance has proposed four demands: constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, and the rollout of a recruitment process and a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh. All of Ladakh currently has one Lok Sabha seat.
On September 24, 2025, four people were killed in police firing and 50 were injured after protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule turned violent.
Source:
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