“Extending Sixth Schedule to Ladakh may set a precedent for other regions demanding special autonomy”. Do you agree? Substantiate with examples from other tribal autonomy experiments in India.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers
Topic: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers
Q3. *“Extending Sixth Schedule to Ladakh may set a precedent for other regions demanding special autonomy”.* Do you agree? Substantiate with examples from other tribal autonomy experiments in India. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the question The issue of Ladakh’s demand for Sixth Schedule status has revived debates on asymmetric federalism and its ripple effect on other regions. It links to ongoing questions of tribal autonomy, constitutional design, and Centre–State dynamics. Key Demand of the question The question asks you to critically analyse whether granting Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh could become a precedent for other regions, and to substantiate both sides using examples from other tribal autonomy experiments in India. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Start with the idea of India’s asymmetric federalism and how Sixth Schedule was crafted to protect tribal autonomy in the North-East. Mention its relevance to Ladakh. Body Arguments why Ladakh extension may set precedent – reference to doctrinal spillover, political bargaining, and examples from Bodoland, Tripura, Meghalaya. Counter-arguments why precedent fears are overstated – uniqueness of Sixth Schedule, availability of alternatives like PESA/Article 371, and case studies such as Darjeeling Bill withdrawal. Conclusion End with a balanced note: while it may become a political reference point, extension will remain selective, contextual, and criteria-based to preserve unity in diversity.
Why the question The issue of Ladakh’s demand for Sixth Schedule status has revived debates on asymmetric federalism and its ripple effect on other regions. It links to ongoing questions of tribal autonomy, constitutional design, and Centre–State dynamics.
Key Demand of the question The question asks you to critically analyse whether granting Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh could become a precedent for other regions, and to substantiate both sides using examples from other tribal autonomy experiments in India.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Start with the idea of India’s asymmetric federalism and how Sixth Schedule was crafted to protect tribal autonomy in the North-East. Mention its relevance to Ladakh.
• Arguments why Ladakh extension may set precedent – reference to doctrinal spillover, political bargaining, and examples from Bodoland, Tripura, Meghalaya.
• Counter-arguments why precedent fears are overstated – uniqueness of Sixth Schedule, availability of alternatives like PESA/Article 371, and case studies such as Darjeeling Bill withdrawal.
Conclusion
End with a balanced note: while it may become a political reference point, extension will remain selective, contextual, and criteria-based to preserve unity in diversity.