For Ladakh Domicile Status, the government takes into account a 15-year residency requirement

A consensus was established during a high-level committee meeting involving civil society leaders and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The HPC, chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, was initially formed in 2023 to tackle the issues faced by the residents of Ladakh.

Any ‘outsider’ who moved to Ladakh following the revocation of its special status and that of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in 2019 will be recognized as a domicile only after 2034.

The definition is crucial for determining eligibility to apply for 5% gazetted government positions, as many citizens feared that individuals from other regions would seize the employment opportunities meant for locals.

Upon approval of the Proposal, a minimum of 80% of vacancies will be allocated for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 4% for individuals residing along the Line of Actual Control/Line of Control, 1% for Scheduled Castes, and 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Context

In 2019, Ladakh was designated as a Union Territory without a Legislative Assembly following the Parliament's revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

A year later, the area made up of Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil district erupted in protests advocating for constitutional protections including Statehood for Ladakh, adding Ladakh to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to grant it tribal status, job reservations for locals, and one parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil.

Since it attained UT status, the hiring for gazetted government positions has not started in Ladakh.

Primary Issues Faced by the People of Ladakh

Absence of Political Independence: Being a Union Territory without a legislative assembly, key decisions are made by the Lieutenant Governor and central agencies, restricting local participation.

Demographic Shifts: Concerns arise over a potential demographic imbalance from migration that may jeopardize the region's cultural and ethnic makeup.

Environmental Decline: Accelerated infrastructure growth and widespread tourism have resulted in the exhaustion of water resources, waste issues, and ecological strain.

Youth Discontent: Elevated unemployment and insufficient educational and career opportunities are stoking frustration among young people.

Essential Requests

Constitutional Protections (Sixth Schedule): The people of Ladakh request to be incorporated under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which ensures autonomy and land preservation for tribal regions.

Complete Statehood or Legislative Assembly: At present, Ladakh is a Union Territory lacking a legislative assembly.

There is a need for enhanced political representation and democratic governance via either complete statehood or a legislative body for improved local decision-making.

Job Reservation and Local Employment Prospects: Residents seek job reservations in government positions and preferential treatment in private sector jobs for the people of Ladakh.

Worries over outsiders holding government and private positions have prompted demands for exclusive job allocations.

Environmental Protection Regulations: Due to Ladakh’s delicate ecosystem, there is a need for stringent environmental laws to control unregulated tourism and infrastructure developments.

Preservation of Cultural and Religious Heritage: The Buddhist community, especially in Leh, aims to safeguard Tibetan-Buddhist heritage and monastic customs.

There are worries regarding the diminishing of cultural identity resulting from outside influences and swift modernization.

Economic Growth with Community Involvement: There are calls for inclusive progress that supports local populations, particularly in areas such as tourism, solar energy, and farming.

The Way Ahead

A careful balancing act between local aspirations and national interests is necessary for Ladakh to have a sustainable and peaceful future.

Long-term stability and contentment among Ladakh's citizens will depend on acknowledging and incorporating the region's distinctive cultural, geographic, and demographic features into governance frameworks.