The Indian Express ·
The evolution of state protections under Article 371, and what 371K could mean for Ladakh
The Centre has proposed inserting a new Article 371K in the Constitution to provide special safeguards for Ladakh. Why does Article 371 exist in so many different forms? And what would make a possible 371K for Ladakh different from the provisions that already exist?
The Union government has proposed inserting a new Article 371K in the Constitution to provide special Constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The proposal follows an “in-principle understanding” between the Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives of the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to create a directly elected Union Territory-level body with legislative, executive, financial and planning powers.
But what exactly is Article 371? Why does it exist in so many different forms? And what would make a possible 371K different from the provisions that already exist?
Articles 371 and 371A through J are generally associated with special Constitutional protections, such as for the Northeast or tribal regions. But this was not the original purpose of Article 371.
