A union territory status without legislature has left the region vulnerable making people demand including Ladakh under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

After a yearlong celebration for getting UT status, people from Leh are going through constant fear of losing their identity, land, job, environment, and culture. 

However, mixed responses are also there regarding the needed safeguard as a certain section of the Kargil district demands restoration of statehood, Article 370, and 35A. 

Regarding Kargil's demand and support for the sixth schedule for Ladakh, Thupstan Chhewang, Former MP said, “ If J&K is granted statehood in the coming days then we are also firm that Ladakh should also be granted statehood equally or UT with the legislature. The need for Constitutional safeguard under the Sixth schedule is very important and I don’t think so common people of Kargil are not in favour of it.”

“Kargil is also part of Ladakh and we understand that their support for the cause of future Ladakh is equally important”, he added.

Sajjad Hussain, 2019 Lok Sabha election contestant said, “From the very first day we were never in favour of bifurcation only, neither we supported UT demand. Today people from Leh are demanding the safeguard same as bestowed in Article 370 earlier. We demand the restoration of statehood, Article 370, 35 A”.

“Before demanding anything from the region, consent of people from both the district is important”, he added.

Amidst chaos and confusion, the decision of the Apex body of Peoples movement for the sixth schedule for Ladakh to boycott the upcoming 6th LAHDC, Leh election brought a wind of change. Apex body demands constitutional safeguards under the sixth schedule on the lines of Bodo Territorial council for UT Ladakh and its people. Following the boycott call, Thupstan Chhewang, Former MP, His Eminence Thiksey Khanpo Rinpoche, Former Member Rajya Sabha, and Chering Dorjay, Former Minister met Home Minister, Amit Shah in Delhi. Amit Shah assured to hold talks with all stakeholders of Ladakh regarding Constitutional safeguards within 15 days of completion of the ensuing LAHDC elections.

On September 28, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Krishan Reddy along with BJP National Secretary and members of the Apex body convened a joint press conference in Leh.

Regarding the demand for the sixth schedule for Ladakh, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Krishan Reddy said that the Union government is positive about the needs and demands of the people of the region. He said that the Home Minister Amit Shah was assured to provide a constitutional safeguard for the protection of culture, language, and ethnicity of Ladakh along with other developmental activities. 

He informed that the government led by PM Modi is firm about addressing all needed demands of the people of the newly formed UT. Also, he assured that the government will not decide for the region without people’s consent.

The words of assurance by the Home Minister Amit Shah have given a ray of hope in the fulfillment of the demands of Ladakh but at the same time opened the gate for commencing the Hill Council election. Political parties announced their candidates from different constituencies