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**Summary:**

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has scheduled new talks with civil society leaders from Ladakh for October 6th, following renewed protests, including a 35-day hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The talks aim to address long-standing demands for Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (granting tribal areas status) for Ladakh. These demands arose after Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 without a Legislative Assembly. Previous talks were held in May and the outcome of the upcoming negotiations are highly anticipated by local leaders who emphasize the need for tangible results.

**News Article:**

**Ladakh Talks Resume Amid Protests, Hunger Strike**

**New Delhi, September 20, 2025** – The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a fresh round of talks with civil society leaders from Ladakh, scheduled for October 6th. This decision follows escalating protests in the region, most notably a 35-day hunger strike spearheaded by prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The core issue at stake is Ladakh’s status and constitutional safeguards. Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are pushing for Statehood for the region, currently a Union Territory without a Legislative Assembly, and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants special protections to tribal areas.

“MHA has decided to resume talks with the Ladakhis leadership — hope these talks will lead to the restoration of democratic rights in terms of statehood and sixth schedule for #Ladakh,” Sajjad Kargili of the KDA posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We expect that these talks would not be for [the] sake of it. It must be result oriented.”

The high-powered committee, led by Minister of State Nityanand Rai, previously engaged in discussions with LAB and KDA on May 27th. Since Ladakh was made a Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, demands for greater self-governance and protections for the region’s unique identity have grown. Protests have centered on the need for constitutional safeguards such as statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, job reservations for locals, and dedicated parliamentary seats for both Leh and Kargil.

The outcome of the October 6th talks is eagerly awaited, with local leaders emphasizing the need for concrete progress towards addressing the long-standing grievances of the people of Ladakh.

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