New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revised the official record of its May 22 meeting with Ladakh’s civil society representatives, incorporating key provisions that strengthen the role of the proposed elected executive body in the Union Territory. The move comes days after a region-wide shutdown was observed in Ladakh over allegations that the Centre had omitted significant commitments from the original draft minutes of the meeting.
The revised minutes, endorsed during a follow-up meeting held in Leh, are aimed at restoring confidence in the dialogue process between the Centre and representatives of the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Both organisations had refused to sign the earlier draft, claiming it failed to accurately reflect the understandings reached during negotiations with the MHA.
One of the most significant additions to the revised document is a provision granting the proposed Union Territory-level elected executive body authority to exercise “control and supervision, including Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR),” over civil servants responsible for subjects falling under its jurisdiction. This addresses one of the primary demands of Ladakh’s representatives, who have consistently argued for greater accountability of the bureaucracy to elected institutions.
The revised record notes that while Ladakh’s demand for full statehood remains a long-term aspiration, both sides have agreed to pursue a phased approach toward enhanced self-governance. As an initial step, a Union Territory-level elected body with executive, financial and legislative powers will be developed. Details regarding the structure and functioning of this body are expected to be refined in subsequent rounds of discussions.
The document further records that a customised constitutional safeguards framework for Ladakh will be developed under Article 371 of the Constitution. According to the minutes, a sui generis model drawing upon various provisions under Article 371 will be designed specifically to address Ladakh’s unique administrative, cultural and geographical requirements. The draft outlining the powers and functions of the proposed elected body will be further fine-tuned during future meetings.
The revised minutes also acknowledge several longstanding demands raised by Ladakh’s representatives. These include the grant of statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard tribal rights, creation of separate Ladakh Administrative and Police Services, and withdrawal of cases registered in connection with protests held in September 2025.
The issue of bureaucratic accountability received particular attention during the discussions. According to the final document, both sides agreed that elected representatives should have supervisory authority over civil servants dealing with matters under the proposed elected body’s jurisdiction. The finer aspects of this arrangement will be worked out through future consultations in accordance with the Transaction of Business Rules.
The revised record was finalised during a meeting in Leh attended by senior government officials and representatives from across Ladakh. Among those present were MHA Additional Secretary Prashant S. Lokhande, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, Member of Parliament Mohmad Haneefa, former MP Thupstan Chhewang, ABL co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai, Kargil Hill Council Chairman Mohd Jaffar Akhoon and other stakeholders.
The revision follows mounting tensions after the MHA circulated the initial draft minutes of the May 22 meeting. Leaders of the ABL and KDA argued that several critical assurances discussed during negotiations had been omitted from the official record. Their objections culminated in a complete shutdown across Ladakh on June 23, during which both organisations accused the Centre of backtracking on its commitments.
The endorsement of the revised minutes is expected to revive the stalled dialogue process and reduce political uncertainty surrounding Ladakh’s constitutional and administrative future. The May 22 talks had been viewed as the most significant breakthrough since Ladakh was carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and designated as a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019.
Although the reorganisation was initially welcomed by many residents, concerns gradually emerged regarding the absence of constitutional safeguards for land, employment and cultural identity, as well as the concentration of administrative authority in the hands of the bureaucracy. These concerns eventually united civil society organisations in Leh and Kargil under the banners of the ABL and KDA, which have jointly spearheaded the movement for greater autonomy and constitutional protections.
The movement also gained national attention through education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who participated in the May 22 meeting and has led several public campaigns and fasts urging the Centre to honour assurances made following the 2019 reorganisation.
