Ladakh MP Pushes for Statehood and Sixth Schedule Safeguards in Lok Sabha

Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa raised demands for safeguards under the sixth schedule and statehood for the Union Territory. He highlighted the concerns of Leh and Kargil groups negotiating with the Union home ministry. The demands include legislative powers, job reservations, and two Lok Sabha seats.

In a significant move, Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa raised the Union Territory's key demands for safeguards under the sixth schedule and statehood in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

During Zero Hour, Haneefa highlighted the essential demands of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance—two influential groups from Buddhist-dominated Leh and Shia Muslim-dominated Kargil currently in talks with the Union home ministry.

The MP pointed out that since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Ladakh, carved as a Union Territory without a legislature, has seen its citizens pressing for these changes due to its strategic importance and unique cultural landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)