New Domicile Policy Introduced in Ladakh Amid Protests
Introduction of Domicile Rules in Ladakh
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a new reservation and domicile policy for the Union Territory of Ladakh, a response to ongoing protests from various political, religious, and social groups that have persisted since 2019.
The newly issued guidelines specify that only individuals who have resided in Ladakh for a continuous period of 15 years, starting from 2019, will be recognized as domiciles. Consequently, non-native residents will only gain domicile status after 2034.
Background of the Policy Changes
In August 2019, the residents of Ladakh lost their exclusive rights to own property and secure government employment in the region. This change followed the Indian government's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution, leading to the bifurcation of the state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The absence of a legislative assembly in Ladakh has heightened concerns among its residents regarding their land, resources, and livelihoods, raising fears about the preservation of the region's cultural identity and delicate ecosystem.
As a result, the Union Territory has witnessed numerous protests over job scarcity and employment issues over the past five years.
Government Job Reservations
In a bid to alleviate fears that non-natives would dominate job opportunities, the Union government also declared an 85% reservation for Scheduled Tribes in government positions in Ladakh. This is significant as over 97% of the Union Territory's population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, with the previous reservation being 80%.
Since 2020, various political, social, and religious organizations in Ladakh have been advocating for the region's inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to address the insecurities faced by residents following the abrogation of Article 370.
Formation of High-Powered Committee
The Sixth Schedule, outlined in Article 244, provides specific protections for land and grants a degree of autonomy to citizens in designated tribal areas.
In response to the protests, the Union government established a high-powered committee in January 2023, led by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, to address the concerns of Ladakh's residents. However, discussions between the central government and Ladakhi leaders collapsed in March 2024.
Activism and Ongoing Demands
In October, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk initiated an indefinite hunger strike, calling for statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, job reservations for locals, and representation in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He concluded his fast after receiving assurances from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that discussions with Ladakhi representatives would resume in December regarding constitutional protections for the Union Territory.
The recent notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs signifies the conclusion of these discussions, although it remains uncertain whether Ladakhi leaders will continue to pursue the demand for Sixth Schedule status.
Official Languages and Women's Representation
Additionally, the Centre has designated English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as the official languages of the Union Territory. For the first time, the government has also reserved one-third of the seats for women in the two autonomous hill councils of Ladakh.
These councils were established by the former Jammu and Kashmir government in the mid-1990s and early 2000s to enhance regional development autonomy, with council members elected through direct voting.