Ladakh Shuts Down Over Omitted Constitutional Safeguards, New Policies

Leh and Kargil, the two main towns in Ladakh, observed a shutdown on June 23, 2026, in protest against the Centre's failure to release the minutes of a May 22 meeting and over new policies introduced without adequate consultation.

The shutdown, called by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), resulted in most markets and businesses remaining closed. However, traffic moved normally. The protest stems from the omission of key provisions from the official record of the May 22 meeting, including constitutional safeguards under Article 371 and the establishment of an elected legislative body for the Union Territory.

Tsering Dorjey Lakrook, president of the LBA, accused the Centre of diluting commitments. “All important points related to constitutional safeguards and an elected legislative body for Ladakh were omitted from the official meeting record. We refused to endorse the minutes after noticing the omission of key provisions, including safeguards under Article 371 and powers for a proposed elected body,” he said at a gathering in Leh.

The protest also targeted the newly introduced excise policy, which facilitates the opening of liquor outlets. Lakrook argued that the policy was introduced without adequate consultation, potentially encouraging alcohol consumption and disrupting social harmony. He also raised concerns about large-scale investments and luxury tourism initiatives that he said could allow outside business interests to dominate the local economy.

Sajjad Kargili, a senior member of the KDA who attended the May 22 talks, confirmed the success of the shutdown. He said the protest reflects the growing demand for democratic rights, constitutional safeguards, protection of land and resources, and greater participation in decision-making. Kargili also highlighted opposition to the ongoing land digitisation process, which he said was carried out without stakeholder consent, and to the proposed privatisation of the Power Department.

Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa stated that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' sub-committee had a fruitful meeting about a new set-up for Ladakh. “It was agreed to have equivalent power to the legislature, and provisions under Article 371 to safeguard the interests of Ladakh. The dialogue is on these fronts. There is no clear picture on the draft and minutes of the meeting,” he said.

According to the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, the Centre offered on May 22 constitutional safeguards under Article 371 instead of the Sixth Schedule, along with a legislative body headed by a Chief Minister for Ladakh. The proposal also promised enhanced legislative, executive, administrative, and financial powers for local representatives, with the entire bureaucracy under their purview.

The shutdown underscores the ongoing tension between the Centre's policy push and local demands for greater autonomy and safeguards in the strategically located region.