On September 26, 2025, the usually tranquil Himalayan territory of Ladakh found itself at the center of a political storm, as Indian police arrested prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk in Leh. The arrest—coming just two days after New Delhi blamed Wangchuk for inciting violent protests demanding statehood—has cast a harsh spotlight on years of simmering discontent in the region. The unrest, which erupted into deadly violence on September 24, left at least four people dead and over 70 injured, marking the worst such incident in Ladakh’s recent memory, according to Reuters and National Herald.
The violence was a shocking departure from Ladakh’s long-standing tradition of peaceful protest. For more than five years, residents have been rallying for protection of their land, jobs, and autonomy—demands that have largely gone unanswered by the central government. But on September 24, frustration boiled over. Angry crowds torched government buildings, including the local BJP office, and clashed with police, who responded with gunfire. Authorities said police acted in self-defense, but the chaos left the region reeling.
Wangchuk, who had been on his sixth hunger strike—this one lasting 15 days—called off his fast as soon as the violence broke out. In a social media post, he described the events as "a damage to their peaceful cause," urging protesters not to let anger derail the movement. Speaking to National Herald, Wangchuk explained, "We called off the strike because we saw that it was getting out of hand. The youth were becoming increasingly frustrated seeing the condition of those on hunger strike. The health of the hunger strikers was deteriorating, and some were being hospitalised. I decided that, at the very least, I would remove this source of concern for the youth, which is why I called it off."
Despite Wangchuk’s pleas for calm, the government swiftly moved to detain him. Police arrested the activist ahead of a press conference he was scheduled to address. India’s interior ministry accused Wangchuk of inciting unrest through "provocative statements" and canceled the license of his NGO, the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, citing alleged violations. The authorities also imposed a curfew in several parts of Ladakh and suspended mobile internet services in Leh, hoping to prevent further escalation.
For many in Ladakh, the violence was not just an isolated outburst but the culmination of years of pent-up frustration. As Noor Ahmad Baba, a political analyst and former head of the political science department at Kashmir University, told National Herald, "A spark neglected for the past five years has destroyed the long-standing peace in this border region. The ongoing situation in Ladakh carries an important message: it reflects the deep disappointment of the people. Over the years, their legitimate concerns and demands have been largely ignored. Issues of land security, job reservations, and the safeguarding of their cultural identity remain unaddressed, fuelling growing frustration."
The roots of Ladakh’s grievances trace back to August 5, 2019, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked Articles 370 and 35A, dissolving the autonomy of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating it into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. While New Delhi promised Ladakh “full autonomy”—even inclusion in the Sixth Schedule to safeguard land and culture—residents say those promises have not been kept. Instead, they fear land encroachments, loss of job reservations, and environmental degradation from unchecked development.
The demands of the protesters are clear and have been reiterated in ongoing negotiations between Ladakh’s leaders and the federal government. They want: (1) full statehood with a legislature and an elected government, (2) inclusion in the Sixth Schedule for constitutional protections over land and culture, (3) two additional Lok Sabha seats for better national representation, and (4) enhanced job and land protections, including 100 percent reservation for locals in government jobs and stricter rules on land transfers to outsiders.
These demands are not without precedent. The BJP, India’s ruling party, included Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule in its election manifesto, and Home Minister Amit Shah once promised the region “full autonomy.” But as Wangchuk pointedly remarked, "They are now backtracking on their commitments, which is why anger is brewing among the youth."
Political leaders across the spectrum have warned of the wider dangers of ignoring Ladakh’s calls for justice. Sajjad Kargili, a member of the Kargil Democratic Alliance, emphasized, "We believe in peace and dialogue. The people of Ladakh have the right to seek democratic freedoms, but their peaceful voices are being suppressed. Security forces opened direct fire on the protesters, pushing the situation to a dangerous level." Veteran leader Dr. Karan Singh, former Sadr-i-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed his alarm: "I have been deeply disturbed by the recent unrest... This is very important to prevent the agitation from growing, which, in the long run, could have negative security implications."
The strategic significance of Ladakh cannot be overstated. Bordering China, the region is a vital frontier for India’s national security. Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah warned, "This kind of incident happening in a border state is dangerous for national security, especially when China is always trying to destabilize the country... this should be resolved at the earliest without waiting for another spark." His son, Omar Abdullah, echoed the frustrations of Ladakh’s residents, recalling similar unfulfilled promises in Jammu and Kashmir.
Since the violence, life in Leh and surrounding areas has ground to a halt. The Leh Apex Body (LAB)—a coalition of civil, religious, and political groups—called a complete shutdown. Strict curfews and security restrictions remain in force, with residents confined to their homes and businesses shuttered. The shutdown is both a symbol of protest and a sign of the deep rift between the people and the state.
Behind the headlines, the human cost is mounting. Dozens of police and security personnel were among the injured, and the trauma of the clashes has left scars on the community. The government and Ladakh’s leaders are set to meet again on October 6, 2025, but trust is in short supply. As Baba cautioned, "The Centre must address the legitimate concerns of the people and take proactive measures to prevent the region from descending into chaos."
With the eyes of the nation—and indeed, the world—on Ladakh, the coming weeks will test the government’s willingness to engage in genuine dialogue. The stakes are high: not just for Ladakh’s autonomy and identity, but for the stability of a region that has, until now, been a rare island of calm in a turbulent borderland.
