4 hrs ago
Centre Offers Article 371(K) Protections as Ladakh Powers Remain Unclear
The government and Ladakh representatives met to discuss how Ladakh should be governed.
The government suggested creating a new constitutional protection called Article 371(K).
It also proposed an elected body for Ladakh with powers over land, culture, language, forests and natural resources.
Ladakh’s representatives want that body to have more control over money, planning, officials, police and law and order.
They say the government has not yet provided a written draft.
The government also discussed compensation for people affected by the September 2025 agitation.
Ladakh groups want all cases linked to the protests withdrawn immediately.
More talks are expected in October, but the groups may protest if major changes are made before an elected body exists.
The Centre has proposed a new Article 371(K) to provide additional constitutional protections for Ladakh.
The proposed elected Union Territory body would have legislative powers over land, culture, language, forests, environment and natural resources.
Ladakh representatives say executive, financial, budgetary, planning, police and law-and-order powers remain unresolved.
The Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly promised a compensation package and is reviewing demands to withdraw protest-related cases.
Further talks are expected in the first week of October, when a draft of Article 371(K) may be discussed.
- Who
- The Ministry of Home Affairs met representatives of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, including activist Sonam Wangchuk.
- What
- The parties discussed proposed constitutional protections under Article 371(K), an elected Union Territory-level body, and protest-related compensation and cases.
- Where
- The meeting was held in the national capital.
- When
- The meeting took place on a Wednesday, with further talks expected in the first week of October.
- Why
- The discussions aim to address Ladakh’s demands for greater democratic control, constitutional safeguards and action over the aftermath of the September 2025 agitation.
Ladakh Representatives
Central Government
Powers of the elected body
Ladakh Representatives
The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance want executive, budgetary, planning, financial, police and law-and-order powers, including supremacy over the bureaucracy.
Central Government
The Ministry of Home Affairs has indicated legislative powers over specified subjects but has left broader executive and law-and-order authority for further discussion.
Constitutional safeguards
Ladakh Representatives
Ladakh representatives say the proposal lacks credibility without a written draft explaining the contents of Article 371(K).
Central Government
The Ministry of Home Affairs has offered a new constitutional provision and is expected to present a draft during further talks.
Governance changes and protest cases
Ladakh Representatives
The Ladakh groups oppose irreversible administrative or political changes before an elected body is established and want all protest-related cases withdrawn at once.
Central Government
The Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly said the cases were being examined and discussed a compensation package, without committing in the meeting to immediate, complete withdrawal.
Key facts
- Proposed provision
- Article 371(K), intended to provide additional constitutional protections for Ladakh
- Proposed elected body
- A directly elected Union Territory-level body with legislative powers
- Subjects mentioned
- Land, culture, language, forests, environment, natural resources and subjects reserved under Article 240
- Unresolved powers
- Executive, budgetary, planning, financial, police and law-and-order authority
- Protest response
- The Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly discussed compensation and said the withdrawal of cases was being examined
- Next talks
- Expected in the first week of October, with a draft Article 371(K) potentially under discussion
- Ladakh groups' warning
- The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance said irreversible changes before an elected body could prompt public protest
Quotes
Sonam Wangchuk
Activist and member of the Ladakh Sub-Committee
“the (proposed) assembly “should have supremacy over bureaucracy, and we have also asked for control over police and law and order””
indianexpress.com
“if these changes continue, we will be forced to sit on agitation again.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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