Why in news?

The people of Ladakh, a Union Territory in India have raised a serious of demands including the territorial control of Ladakh up to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

What are the latest demands of Ladakh?

• Restore statehood- They have been demanding that Ladakh be restored to a full-fledged state, with its own elected representatives and law-making powers.
• Constitutional safeguards- They have also been seeking safeguards to protect their unique culture, language and environment from the influx of outsiders and investors.
• Special status- Ladakh demanding special status under Sixth Schedule and Article 371 of the Constitution of India which would grant autonomy and protection to certain tribal and backward regions in the country.

• Power to have autonomous councils- The special status would allow the autonomous councils which can make laws on matter such as land, forest, agriculture, education, health and culture.
• Representation- Before the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh had four seats in the assembly and two seats in the legislative council, the upper house of the state which now has only one seat in the Lok Sabha and no seat in Rajya Sabha.
• Protect environment- Ladakh is one of the most ecologically fragile and sensitive areas in the world, and that opening it up to outsiders and outside investment will have adverse effects on the environment and the biodiversity.
• Ladakh Public Service Commission- They demanded to create a separate commission for the recruitment of gazetted jobs, so that they have exclusive rights over recruitment.
• Empower hill councils- They should have the power to recruit lower rung staff for the region.
• Domicile recruitment- The Ladakh resident certificate should be the only basis for applying for these jobs in the region.
• Territorial expansion- Ladakh wants the central government of India to assert its sovereignty over this area and integrate it with Ladakh

Why extension of territorial control?

Ladakh has a historical and strategic claim over the Gilgit-Baltistan area, which is currently under the control of Pakistan.

• Prior to 1947, the Ladakh district also comprised the Gilgit-Baltistan area, which is now under the occupation of Pakistan.
• Reservation- It demanded reservation of seats for Gilgit-Baltistan once a legislature is granted to the region.
• Security- Ladakh also shares a long but volatile Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China which witnessed a violent face-off between two countries in 2020.
• Empower locals- The territorial extension will foster stability in the region which would enhance foreign policy, they know the harsh terrain of Ladakh and has helped in military and logistics operations.
• G Kishan Reddy committee- It was formed in 2022 to find an appropriate solution to the issues related to language, culture and conservation of land in Ladakh, but failed to arrive at a solution.
• High power Ladakh committee- It was headed by Nityanand Rai, to engage with the stakeholders of Ladakh.
• The committee recommended for more constructive dialogue between India and Ladakh over the list of demands.

Reference

The Hindu- Ladakh’s demand on Gilgit Baltistan