The Kargil Democratic Alliance on Saturday rejected the Union government’s draft governance framework for Ladakh, presented on October 15, saying that it would give the lieutenant governor and the bureaucracy overriding authority while leaving the proposed elected body with little legislative, executive or financial power, The New Indian Express reported.
This came a week after a subcommittee comprising members of the Kargil Democratic Alliance and Apex Body Leh – which are leading the agitation for statehood in Ladakh – met home ministry officials to discuss greater democratic representation for the region, The Indian Express reported. Talks have since stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress.
Until 2019, Ladakh was part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. In August 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the state into two Union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Unlike Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh was made a Union territory without a legislature, fuelling concerns among the Ladakhi people about their land, natural resources and livelihoods. They also fear that the region’s cultural identity and fragile ecosystem are in danger.
By 2022, the residents had four demands: statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of...