Union Home Minister Amit Shah is all set to chair a high-level meeting with nearly a dozen leaders from Ladakh on their demand of inclusion of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution.India Today has learnt that at least 11 leaders from Ladakh will attend the crucial meet on Tuesday, which is likely to also have Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and MOS Home G Kishan Reddy in attendance.Since the abrogation of Article 370 and Centre’s decision to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Ladakhi leaders who met the Home Minister in September pressed for Article 371 or 6th Schedule with “special provisions”.The 6th Schedule is granted to 11 states, including six states of the northeast which provides protection to their unique cultural identity and economic interest.Ladakhi leaders have stated that 90 per cent of their population is “tribal”, hence the need for protection of their rights. There are provisions in several states like Himachal and Uttrakhand which restrict the transfer of agricultural land.The socio-religious, political heads and new elected Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) are already in Delhi to meet the Home Minister.Ahead of the meet, former Jammu and Kashmir minister Chhering Dorje says he is hopeful. Speaking to India Today, he said, “I am very positive of the outcome.”Centre announced that a dialogue between a larger Ladakhi delegation comprising representatives from Leh and Kargil districts under the aegis of Peoples Movement for Constitutional Safeguard Under Sixth Schedule for Ladakh and Union Home Ministry would commence after 15 days of the culmination of LAHDC polls.Ladakhi leaders who had threatened to boycott the polls later participated after assurance from the Centre that they would listen to their demands. On January 5, the dialogue will resume.The BJP won the Ladakh Hill Development Council Elections bagging 15 seats out of 26 with Congress winning nine and two for Independents.The decision for special provision will be in sharp contrast to Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with no special status but leaders of Ladakh state that since most of the population is tribal, they should be given protection under the 6th Schedule.
