The current struggle of Ladakh revolves around a four-point agenda, which has been a longstanding demand of the region's people. This agenda was formulated after Ladakh was declared a Union Territory in 2019, following the bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Statehood for Ladakh:
  The people of Ladakh are demanding full-fledged statehood, which would provide them with greater autonomy and decision-making power over local issues.
• Safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution:
  The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas, and the people of Ladakh are demanding its extension to the region. This would provide safeguards for the region's land, culture, language, and environment.
• Formation of Public Service Commission and Job Reservation for Ladakh Youth:
  The people of Ladakh are demanding the formation of a Public Service Commission to ensure job reservation for local youth. This would address the issue of unemployment and provide opportunities for the local population.
• Creation of Two Separate Parliamentary Constituencies for Leh and Kargil:
  The people of Ladakh are demanding the creation of two separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil. This would provide greater representation for the region in the Parliament and ensure that the concerns of both districts are addressed.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently announced a High-Powered Committee to address the demands of the people of Ladakh. However, the committee's mandate is unclear, and protests have erupted in the region. The leaderships of major bodies in the region, such as the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have declined to participate in the committee meetings, citing the lack of representation from the Sunni Muslim community and the arbitrary exclusion of members.

The demand for statehood is a significant departure from the long-held position of Ladakhi Buddhists, who had previously sought to be governed directly by the central government. However, after Ladakh was declared a UT, people claimed to have lost constitutional protection on land, employment, and democratic decision-making.

The Sixth Schedule is being demanded to protect the region's land, employment, and cultural identity. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Council (LAHDC) lacks the authority to legislate on issues such as land and employment, and the allocation of funds to LAHDC for regional development is being reduced.

The alliance between Leh and Kargil is historic, given that the two communities have been divided politically and religiously for over six decades. The government must align with popular aspirations and build a common consensus to protect the distinct cultural identity of the region.