Act North
(Source: The Hindu, Editorial Page)
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 04 June 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 04 June 2025
Topic: GS Paper 2 (Governance – Federalism, Representation, Role of Civil Services), GS Paper 1 (Indian Society – Regionalism, Tribal Concerns) |
Context |
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Background: Reorganisation of J&K in 2019
August 5, 2019: Article 370 revoked, and the state of Jammu & Kashmir was bifurcated into:
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Jammu & Kashmir (Union Territory with legislature)
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Ladakh (Union Territory without legislature)
Since then, Ladakh has faced:
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Political marginalisation
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Absence of elected representation
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Threats to tribal identity and culture
People’s Demands and Civil Society Movements:
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A united civil society front in Leh has mobilised:
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Demand for inclusion in Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (to protect tribal land, culture).
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A separate Public Service Commission for local recruitment.
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Job and land safeguards for locals.
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Full democratic participation through legislature or similar institutional mechanisms.
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Recent protests have witnessed thousands rallying for these rights.
Demand and Constitutional Provisions:
This section is best visualised in a table format:
Demand | Related Provision | Challenge/Implication |
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Inclusion in Sixth Schedule | Article 244 & Sixth Schedule (for tribal areas) | Sixth Schedule currently applies only to certain NE states; Ladakh is a UT without legislature |
Separate PSC | Article 315-323 (State PSC provisions) | No provision for separate PSC for UT without legislature |
Land & Job Protection | Similar to J&K’s domicile laws pre-2019 | Would require special legal protections or new laws |
Legislative Representation | UTs like Delhi & Puducherry have legislatures | Needs constitutional amendment or special legislation |
Centre’s Response: Inaction & Consultation:
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The Government of India has held intermittent talks but shown no decisive action.
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Protestors argue that assurances haven’t materialised into policy or law.
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The Supreme Court has acknowledged the need to address Ladakh’s exclusion in ongoing Article 370 cases.
Socio-Cultural and Environmental Sensitivities:
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Ladakh’s fragile Himalayan ecology makes local autonomy essential.
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Rapid tourism and military infrastructure growth threaten:
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Water security
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Livelihoods
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Cultural continuity (Buddhist and tribal traditions)
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Political Significance:
This is not just a local governance issue but a test of:
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Centre-State federal balance
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Democratic decentralisation
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Government’s commitment to tribal rights and minority participation
Way Forward:
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Serious consideration for constitutional innovation—perhaps a special provision for tribal UTs.
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Institutionalising a consultative mechanism with local tribal leaders.
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Long-term roadmap for democratic participation, especially through:
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Local elections
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District Councils
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Tribal advisory bodies
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Practice Question: The political demands emerging from Ladakh post-2019 highlight challenges in India’s federal structure and tribal governance. Critically examine the constitutional and democratic implications of extending Sixth Schedule provisions to Ladakh. (GS Paper 2 | 250 words | 15 marks) |