All posts tagged: constitutional safeguards

Sonam Wangchuk says Article 371 talks for Ladakh still ‘work in progress’; backs Cockroach Janta Party

Sonam Wangchuk says Article 371 talks for Ladakh still ‘work in progress’; backs Cockroach Janta Party

Published by Parlour News

Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday expressed hope over the proposal of granting constitutional safeguards to Ladakh under Article 371, while describing the recently concluded negotiations during a high-level meeting in New Delhi as a “work in progress.” Sonam Wangchuk said talks are underway to finalise and devolve the responsibilities in the region under Article 371. (PTI File) This comes a day after representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) held talks with the Union government and said that they have reached an “in-principle understanding” over enacting special constitutional safeguards in the region. “We made significant progress this evening in our talks with the Govt. MHA, Apex & KDAleaders of Ladakh had a broad consensus on restoring democracy with a tailor made legislative body,” he said on X. In an interview with news agency PTI on Saturday, Wangchuk said talks are underway to finalise and devolve the responsibilities in the region under Article 371. “This is not a time to celebrate or deplore based on what has been discussed so …

LAB, KDA claim to have reached ‘in-principle understanding’ with Centre

LAB, KDA claim to have reached ‘in-principle understanding’ with Centre

Published by Parlour News

New Delhi, Two prominent civil society groups from Ladakh Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance on Friday claimed to have reached an ‘in-principle understanding’ with the Centre on providing constitutional safeguards to the Union Territory. LAB, KDA claim to have reached ‘in-principle understanding’ with Centre In a joint statement, after the sub-committee meeting here, both groups said they have reached an “in-principle understanding” with the Government of India on restoring democracy in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram under Article 371. No formal statement was immediately available from the Centre. The discussions took place during the sub-committee comprising top representatives from LAB and KDA and also from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Both groups stuck to their demands regarding the restoration of democracy, constitutional safeguards, and the demand for Statehood and Sixth Schedule protection, reflecting the shared commitment of all stakeholders towards an inclusive and sustainable governance framework for the region. Following detailed and constructive deliberations, both sides have arrived at “an in-principle understanding” on several critical …

Shutdown, protest rallies in Ladakh over Statehood, Sixth Schedule demands

Shutdown, protest rallies in Ladakh over Statehood, Sixth Schedule demands

Published by Parlour News

People gather during a protest demanding inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, in Leh, Ladakh, on Monday. | Photo Credit: PTI Protest rallies were held in Ladakh on Monday (March 16, 2026), marking the first instance since violence erupted in September last year, on the call of the socio-political groupings of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to press for Statehood status and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. Hundreds of locals marched from Singay Namgyal Chowk up to Leh Polo Ground in Leh town. In Kargil, protesters held a rally in the town that was attended by hundreds of locals. The KDA and the LAB had called for shutdown on March 16 in Ladakh. Protesters were carrying banners and raising slogans in favour of Statehood and the Sixth Schedule. They raised slogans that the current Union Territory status was unacceptable to the region. Ladakah was carved out as a U.T. in 2019 from the Kashmir division of erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir. “For the last six years, the …