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| A police vehicle torched by the demonstrators is pictured along a street near the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh on September 24, 2025. — AFP |
Five Killed in Indian-Occupied Ladakh as Statehood Protests Turn Deadly
A police vehicle torched by the demonstrators is pictured along a street near the Bharatiya Janata Party office in Leh on September 24, 2025. — AFPClashes between police and demonstrators in Indian-occupied Ladakh on Wednesday left five people dead and dozens more injured during protests...
Protests in Indian-occupied Ladakh for statehood and constitutional rights have turned violent, leaving five dead and dozens injured amid growing unrest over New Delhi’s unfulfilled promises.
The Himalayan region of Indian-occupied Ladakh is once again at a boiling point. What began as peaceful protests demanding statehood and constitutional protections escalated into deadly clashes, leaving five people dead and dozens injured in Leh.
The Spark Behind the Protests
The demonstrations were held in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for two weeks, urging the Indian government to grant Ladakh full statehood or constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
“Social unrest arises when you keep young people unemployed and deprive them of their democratic rights,” Wangchuk warned online, appealing for calm even as tensions mounted.
Clashes in Leh
Police confirmed that protestors torched vehicles and stormed the BJP office in Leh. Officers responded with tear gas and baton charges, leaving chaos in their wake. Authorities have since banned public gatherings, turning Leh into a tense, heavily policed zone.
Broken Promises and Growing Anger
Ladakh was carved out of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. Since then, residents say New Delhi has failed to deliver on promises of local autonomy. The Sixth Schedule—meant to empower tribal communities—remains unimplemented.
The Larger Picture
Home to 300,000 people, Ladakh’s population is a mix of Muslims and Buddhists, both united in feeling marginalized. The area’s proximity to China and Pakistan adds layers of geopolitical tension. Indian and Chinese troops have already clashed there in 2020, costing dozens of lives.
As Wangchuk put it: “There is no platform for democracy here today.”
FAQs
Q: What triggered the protests in Ladakh?
A: The demonstrations erupted in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on hunger strike demanding statehood and constitutional protection for Ladakh’s tribal communities and environment.
Q: How many people were killed and injured?
A: Five people were confirmed dead and dozens injured during violent clashes between police and protesters in Leh.Q: Why are Ladakhis demanding statehood?
A: Locals say New Delhi has denied them political representation and local lawmaking powers promised under the Sixth Schedule since Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Q: What is the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
A: It grants special autonomy to tribal regions, allowing them to make local laws on land, culture, and governance—protections Ladakhis say are essential to preserve their way of life.
Q: How does this affect regional stability?
A: The unrest adds to tensions along the India-China border, where both armies maintain heavy deployments. It also exposes New Delhi’s growing challenges in managing restive border territories.