Kargil Democratic Alliance Announces Three-Day Hunger Strike Over Delayed Talks on Ladakh’s Statehood and Tribal Safeguards
KARGIL, AUGUST 6: Escalating their campaign for constitutional rights, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) today declared a three-day hunger strike commencing August 9, citing the Central Government’s “delaying tactics” in addressing Ladakh’s core demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. The protest, set to unfold in Kargil town, will run from Saturday morning until August 11 afternoon, culminating in a mass public rally.
KDA Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai, flanked by alliance members, revealed that the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and KDA’s collaborative partner in negotiations has been formally invited to join the agitation. “This united action will signal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that Ladakh’s people refuse to be silenced on their legitimate constitutional demands,” Karbalai asserted during a press briefing.
The decision follows growing frustration over stalled dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). While the KDA-LAB coalition secured agreements on domicile policies, job reservations, and recruitment frameworks during their last meeting with MHA officials nearly two months ago, Karbalai emphasized that the pivotal issues of statehood and Sixth Schedule status remain unresolved. “We were assured further talks within a month specifically on these agenda items, yet the Centre continues to employ avoidable delays,” he stated.
The four-point charter jointly championed by KDA and LAB includes:
1. Full statehood for Ladakh
2. Inclusion under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule (granting tribal area autonomy)
3. Establishment of a dedicated Ladakh Public Service Commission
4, Allocation of two Parliamentary seats
Karbalai clarified that the parliamentary seat demand faces a procedural hurdle due to the nationwide delimitation freeze until 2026. With reservations and domicile matters already settled, the hunger strike specifically targets the two unimplemented pillars: statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards.
Phase 1: Hunger strike begins 10 AM, August 9 at Kargil’s protest site
Phase 2: Mass rally at 4 PM, August 11 to mobilize public support
LAB’s participation sought to finalize a joint escalation roadmap at the rally
“We remain committed to peaceful agitation for our justified constitutional rights,” stressed Karbalai, while warning that Ladakh’s citizens would “vigorously resist any attempt to sideline these non-negotiable demands.” The protest marks a significant intensification of the region’s years-long movement for political autonomy and cultural preservation amid Ladakh’s transition to Union Territory status.
The KDA-LAB alliance has spearheaded Ladakh’s political mobilization since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, arguing that UT status undermines local land rights, tribal identity, and democratic representation. The Sixth Schedule demand seeks constitutional protections akin to those in Northeastern tribal states.
