Recent Ladakh protests demanding statehood

Why in News?

Recently, Ladakh People staged a massive protest over the statehood demand set a BJP office on fire, and police fired teargas shells to disperse them.

• Background - The issue dates back to 2019, since Article 370 was repealed and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 was passed.
• The result was the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into 2 Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature, and Ladakh without a legislature.
• The political and legal status of Ladakh has remained contentious since, with the people of the UT finding themselves under direct central administration.

Demands

• Protestors demanding statehood and the 6^th Schedule.
• Statehood for Ladakh - Granting Ladakh full democratic and legislative rights.
• Inclusion of 6^th schedule - Given that over 90% of Ladakh’s population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes, there has been a consistent demand to include the region under the Sixth Schedule.
• Two Lok Sabha seats - Seeking separate parliamentary representation for the Leh and Kargil districts.
• Job reservations - Reserving employment opportunities for local residents.

Quick facts

Reference

The Indian Express | Ladakh Protest