Ladakh groups reject Home Ministry plan lacking Article 371 safeguards
Ladakh's key civil society groups, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have rejected a new plan from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
They feel the proposal is a significant departure from the assurances and commitments made during previous meetings, mainly because it leaves out a legislative assembly and special protections under Article 371: things they have been consistently advocating since 2021.
Framework concentrates powers in lieutenant governor
Instead of giving Ladakh its own assembly, the proposed framework appears closer to a Territorial Council model, with substantial powers concentrated in the lieutenant governor.
LAB and KDA are not happy with this: they have even submitted their own version of an agreement that they say fits what people in Ladakh really want.
Protests have been ongoing since Union Territory status was granted in 2019, and another round of talks is likely to be held in New Delhi on October 22, 2026, so this story is not over yet.