Congress demands Sixth Schedule, full democratic institutions for Ladakh

The Congress on Thursday demanded that the Centre make public the findings of the judicial inquiry into last year's violence in Leh, extend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh and establish full democratic institutions, including a legislature, in the Union Territory.

Congress general secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Naseer Hussain made the demands on the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025 violence in Leh, in which four people were killed in police firing after protests over Ladakh's constitutional and political demands turned violent.

A judicial inquiry into the circumstances leading to the violence, police action and the deaths was ordered by the Centre, but its findings have not been made public so far.

"Ladakh has already waited seven years. We stand, without reservation, with the people of Ladakh in their continued, peaceful pursuit of justice and of their rightful place within our democracy," Hussain said in a statement.

He said the four people killed -- Tsewang Tharchin, Jigmet Dorjey, Stanzin Namgyal and Rinchen Dadul -- should be remembered and their families' loss acknowledged.

Hussain said the people of Ladakh had been given assurances following the abrogation of Article 370 and the creation of Ladakh as a Union Territory, but alleged that the promised safeguards remained unfulfilled.

"They have asked for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, so that their land, livelihoods, fragile environment and distinct identity may enjoy genuine legal protection; for the restoration of full democratic institutions, including a legislature of their own; and for sincere dialogue with the Union Government, free of preconditions and further delay," he said.

The Congress leader said the government's measures, including the expansion of Autonomous Hill Development Councils, could not substitute for the Sixth Schedule or a representative legislature.

"The limited provisions of Article 371 and the expansion of Hill Councils are no substitute for the comprehensive protection of the Sixth Schedule," he said.

The Centre and Ladakh's representatives have continued discussions on constitutional safeguards. Earlier this month, the Centre proposed a possible Article 371(K) framework providing for a directly elected Union Territory-level institution, though no final draft has been placed before the Ladakh representatives.

The government has also said it remains committed to providing constitutional safeguards for Ladakh and has been engaging with the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance through a High-Powered Committee.

Hussain said the Congress' demands included publishing the status and findings of the judicial inquiry, extending the Sixth Schedule to protect Ladakh's land, jobs, environment, culture and identity, and establishing a legislature elected by and accountable to the people of the Union Territory.