EveMagill33 at 02:37, 2 May 2026

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{{Short description|Ongoing protests in Ladakh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}

{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = Ladakh protests
| subtitle =
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| date = 2021–ongoing
| place = [[Ladakh]], India
| causes = {{blist|[[Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019|Reorganisation act]] reconstituting Ladakh as a [[union territory]]|Loss of administrative autonomy|Unemployment}}
| goals = {{blist|Statehood to Ladakh|Inclusion of Ladakh in [[Sixth Schedule]]|Formation of the Ladakh Public Service Commission|Two parliamentary seats for Ladakh|Job reservation for locals}}
| methods = {{blist|Talks|[[Hunger strike]] and fasts|[[Political demonstration|Demonstrations]]|[[Student activism]]|Protests and marches|[[Arson]]}}
| result =
| fatalities = 4
| injuries = 87
| side1 = '''[[Ladakh]]'''
* Leh Apex Body (LAB)
* Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)
| side2 = '''[[Government of India]]'''
* [[Ministry of Home Affairs]]
** High-Powered Committee on Ladakh
| leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures2 =
}}
Demonstrations in [[Ladakh]], [[India]], has been ongoing since 2021, with protesters demanding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh in the form of statehood and inclusion in the [[Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India|Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution]].<ref name="Hindu getting impatient"/> The local representative groups and the committee of the [[Government of India]] held several rounds of talks but they had been inconclusive. The demonstrations, protests and [[Fasting|fasts]] were held several times between 2023 and 2026. The protests turned violent in September 2025.<ref name="ht">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-24 |title=Why is Ladakh seeing youth-led protests? Four demands form core of violent unrest |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/why-ladakh-youth-led-protests-4-demands-form-core-of-unrest-arson-in-leh-bjp-office-burns-sonam-wangchuk-reacts-101758706387182.html |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=India Detains Popular Leader of Protest Movement |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/27/world/asia/india-ladakh-protests-sonam-wangchuk.html |website=New York Times |date=27 September 2025 |access-date=28 September 2025}}</ref>

==Background==
Ladakh is a high-altitude desert region with a population of 300,000 people, that borders both Pakistan and China. Around 47% of Ladakh's residents are [[Muslim]], while [[Buddhist]]s make up 40% of the population. Hindus form around 12%. <ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Protests in India's northern Ladakh region turn deadly |url=https://www.dw.com/en/protests-in-indias-northern-ladakh-region-turn-deadly/a-74125820 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=24 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref> India maintains a heavy troop presence in Ladakh, which includes [[Sino-Indian border dispute|disputed border]] regions with China.<ref name="BBC 25 Sep" />

In August 2019 [[Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019|Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act]] was passed by the [[Parliament of India]] which contained provisions to reconstitute Ladakh as a [[union territory]] without legislature, separate from the rest of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] on 31 October 2019, following the [[revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir|abrogation of Article 370]].<ref name="AJ 2021">{{Cite web |last=Fareed |first=Rifat |title=Why India's Ladakh is witnessing growing discontent |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/17/india-ladakh-discontent-statehood-kashmir-china-pakistan-autonomy |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Under the terms of the act, the union territory is administered by a [[Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh|Lieutenant Governor]] acting on behalf of the union Government of India and does not have an elected legislative assembly or chief minister. Each district within the union territory continues to elect an [[autonomous district council]] as done previously.<ref name="dailyexcelsior.com">{{Cite news |work=[[Daily Excelsior]] |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/lahdc-act-would-continue-and-the-amendments-of-2018-to-be-protected-governor/ |title=LAHDC Act would continue and the Amendments of 2018 to be protected: Governor |date=30 August 2019 |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802224355/https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/lahdc-act-would-continue-and-the-amendments-of-2018-to-be-protected-governor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]], after the reorganisation, the autonomous district councils lost much of their administrative powers.<ref name="AJ why protests">{{Cite web |title=Why are people in India's Ladakh protesting, what are their demands? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/11/why-are-people-in-indias-ladakh-protesting-against-central-government |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>{{efn|It is hard to find direct evidence for this claim. But it appears that the Union Territory administration, being more influential, is able to override the autonomous district councils, and the government officials take it more seriously than the latter.<ref>Safwat Zargar, [https://scroll.in/article/968941/a-year-after-ladakh-celebrated-union-territory-status-the-mood-has-changed A year after Ladakh celebrated Union Territory status, the mood has changed], Scroll.in, 3 August 2020.</ref>}}

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), both being the mix of socio-political and religious groups from Leh and Kargil respectively, had organised the agitation since 2021 for various demands including the statehood to Ladakh, the inclusion of Ladakh in [[Sixth Schedule]], the formation of the Ladakh Public Service Commission, and two parliamentary seats for Ladakh.<ref name="Hindu turns violent">{{Cite news |last=Ashiq |first=Peerzada |date=2025-09-24 |title=Ladakh statehood protest turns violent; BJP office in Leh attacked amid shutdown seeking for sixth schedule extension |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/clashes-erupt-in-ladakh-amid-shutdown-to-press-for-advancing-talks-with-centre/article70088013.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="HT why protests">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-24 |title=Why is Ladakh seeing youth-led protests? Four demands form core of violent unrest |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/why-ladakh-youth-led-protests-4-demands-form-core-of-unrest-arson-in-leh-bjp-office-burns-sonam-wangchuk-reacts-101758706387182.html |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Hindu MHA calls">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2025-09-20 |title=MHA calls next round of talks on Ladakh on October 6 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/mha-calls-next-round-of-talks-on-ladakh-on-october-6/article70074890.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="Hindu getting impatient">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2025-09-22 |title=People getting impatient, matters can go out of hand: Ladakh protest leader |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/people-getting-impatient-matters-can-go-out-of-hand-ladakh-protest-leader/article70081380.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Other demands are concerned with local identity and culture, local languages, environmental issues and employment.<ref name="Outlook Tashi Gyalson">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-25 |title=No Need For Protests When Centre Is Listening: CEC LAHDC Tashi Gyalson |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/interview-with-lahdc-chief-tashi-gyalson-ladakh-statehood-sixth-schedule-demand-protests |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Diplomat disillusioned">{{Cite web |title=Disillusioned, Ladakh Turns to Protests |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/disillusioned-ladakh-turns-to-protests/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

During [[2020 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh election|2020 Hill Council elections]], the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) had promised the inclusion of Ladakh in Sixth Schedule. The Central Government has been led by the BJP since 2014.<ref name="NIE 2023">{{Cite web |agency=PTI |date=2023-02-16 |title=Hundreds of Ladakhis protest in Delhi, demand statehood, sixth schedule status |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2023/Feb/16/hundreds-of-ladakhis-protest-in-delhi-demand-statehood-sixth-schedule-status-2548020.html |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Protests and talks==

=== 2021—22 ===
The LAB and KDA were formed and they joined hands to represent their demands. In December 2021, the shutdown was observed across Ladakh. The Central Government promised the talks but none held for months. The LAB and KDA held protests in Leh and Kargil in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-07 |title=Now Ladakh sees protests over statehood, Leh and Kargil set aside differences to pressure Centre |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/ladakh-protests-statehood-leh-kargil-set-aside-differences-pressure-centre-8254714/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-02 |title=Ladakh Residents March in Protest Demanding Statehood |url=https://www.newsclick.in/Ladakh-Residents-March-Protest-Demanding-Statehood}}</ref><ref name="AJ 2021" />

=== 2023 ===
In January 2023, activist [[Sonam Wangchuk (engineer)|Sonam Wangchuck]] held a five-day fast in subzero temperatures to highlight the environmental impacts by proposed mining and industrial plans.<ref name="AJ why protests" /> The LAB and KDA held the protests together in January.<ref name="Diplomat disillusioned" /> They also held protests in Delhi in February.<ref name="NIE 2023" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=Protesters From Ladakh Arrive in Delhi to Demand Statehood, Constitutional Safeguards |url=https://thewire.in/rights/ladakh-protest-delhi-statehood |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=thewire.in}}</ref>

The High-Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh under the [[Ministry of Home Affairs]] of the Central Government was formed in January 2023 to hold the talks.<ref name="Hindu getting impatient" /><ref name="NIE 2023" /> Several rounds of the talks were held between the HPC and the representatives of the LAB and the KDA.<ref name="HT why protests" /><ref name="Hindu turns violent" />

=== 2024 ===
On 3 February and 6 March 2024, hundreds of people led by LAB and KDA demonstrated in Leh. Wangchuck held a 21-day fast unto death in March.<ref name="AJ why protests" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=Sumeda |date=2024-02-14 |title=Explained: Why has Ladakh turned to mass protests in freezing temperatures |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh-protests-meeting-cold-statehood-sixth-schedule-explainer-kargil-demands-shutdown/article67824047.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> By March 2024, nine rounds of the talks had remained inconclusive.<ref name="AJ why protests" />

More than 100 people from Ladakh associated with LAB and KDA including Wangchuck started a 1000-km march to Delhi in from 1 September 2024 for highlighting the environmental issues and constitutional demands. Near the border of Delhi, they were detained by the [[Delhi Police]] on 1 October 2024 for violating the assembly prohibitions under Section 163 of the [[Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023|BNSS]].<ref>{{Cite web |agency=PTI |date=2024-10-01 |title=Sonam Wangchuk among 120 people detained while marching to Delhi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sonam-wangchuk-delhi-border-detained-ladakh-protest-sixth-amendment-2609064-2024-10-01 |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ladakh's March to New Delhi: We've Less Than Five Years Before Things Go Irreversible, Says Sonam Wangchuk |url=https://thewire.in/environment/ladakhs-march-to-new-delhi-weve-less-than-five-years-before-things-go-irreversible-says-sonam-wangchuk |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=The Wire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2024-09-30 |title=Delhi Chalo Padayatra: Sonam Wangchuk, others detained at Delhi border |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/march-by-men-and-women-from-ladakh-stopped-on-delhi-border/article68703070.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

=== 2025 ===
The talks were held in March and May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-24 |title=Stone pelting, tear gas, lathi-charge: Ladakh on edge as protest over statehood turns violent |url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/stone-pelting-tear-gas-lathi-charge-ladakh-on-edge-as-protest-over-statehood-turns-violent/2750052/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Hindu getting impatient" /> The Central Government accepted and notified draft rules: 85% reservation for locals, requirement of 15-year residency for domicile status, 33% reservation for women in hill councils, and recognition of five official languages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-04 |title=New quota, domicile rules in Ladakh plan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-quota-domicile-rules-in-ladakh-plan-101748976407775.html |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Outlook Tashi Gyalson" />

On 10 September 2025, the LAB initiated a 35-day hunger strike in support of the demands. Total 15 people started the fast.<ref name="HT why protests" /> Wangchuck also went on the hunger strike.<ref name="HT 24 Sep">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-24 |title=Ladakh protest live updates: Prohibitory orders imposed in Leh after arson, clashes during statehood agitation |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ladakh-leh-protest-statehood-news-live-updates-bjp-sonam-wangchuk-gen-z-sixth-schedule-101758706055036.html |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> On 20 September, the next round of talks between HPC and LAB as well as KDA were scheduled for 6 October in New Delhi. Wangchuck rejected the talks, calling them "unilateral" and delayed, and demanded "result-oriented" negotiations at the earliest.<ref name="Hindu turns violent" /><ref name="Hindu getting impatient" /><ref name="Hindu MHA calls" />

Two people of the 15 people on hunger strike were hospitalized on 23 September after their health deteriorated. So the youth wing of the LAB called for the shutdown and protest on 24 September 2025 in [[Leh]]. The protest turned violent and the protesters pelted stones, arsoned, clashed with the police and burned down the BJP office in Leh. The police fired [[teargas]] shells and carried out baton charge to disperse the protesters.<ref name="Hindu turns violent" /><ref name="HT 24 Sep" /> At least 4 people were killed and about 50 were injured including 30 police personnel when "police had to resort to firing".<ref>{{cite news |title=At least four killed in protests for statehood in India's Ladakh, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/least-four-killed-protests-indias-ladakh-over-statehood-demand-sources-say-2025-09-24/ |work=Reuters |date=25 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="HT 24 Sep" /> The [[curfew]] was imposed under Section 163 of the BNSS in Leh and the ongoing Ladakh festival was cancelled.<ref name="HT 24 Sep" /><ref name="BBC 25 Sep">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-25 |title=India imposes curfew in Ladakh after statehood protests turn violent |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5qzp7mq7qo |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following violence, Wangchuk ended his 15-day fasts and appealed for peace.<ref name="Hindu turns violent" /><ref name="BBC 25 Sep" />

The KDA called for a shutdown on 25 September in the support.<ref name="Hindu turns violent" /><ref name="BBC 25 Sep" /> The curfew in Leh, Kargil and other major parts of Ladakh continued from 25 September. All educational institutes were closed in Leh. Internet services were shut down. On 26 September, Wangchuk was detained under [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]] and lodged in [[Jodhpur]] Central Jail. More than 60 people including 2 councillors were arrested.<ref>https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/india/curfew-internet-ban-remain-in-force-in-leh-preparations-underway-for-last-rites-of-violence-victims/cid/2125503</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashiq |first=Peerzada |date=2025-09-26 |title=Ladakh Statehood activist Sonam Wangchuk detained under NSA in Leh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/climate-activist-sonam-wangchuk-arrested-in-leh/article70097428.ece |access-date=2025-09-26 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The LAB pulled out of informal talk on 30 September as well as formal 6 October talks with the Central Government citing the negative campaign against their agitation, demand for investigation in deaths and release of their arrested leaders.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-29 |title=Talks on Ladakh hit a wall as Leh body pulls out, Kargil to 'follow' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/apex-body-leh-protests-sonam-wangchuk-10278433/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Next day, the KDA also pulled out of talks too.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-10-01 |title=After Ladakh group, Kargil bloc quits talks, sets conditions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/after-ladakh-group-kargil-bloc-quits-talks-sets-conditions/articleshow/124256568.cms |access-date=2025-10-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Both groups resumed talks with the central government on 22 October which included the judicial inquiry in the 24 September violence. The curfew was lifted in Leh as well as Kargil after three weeks but were imposed again from 17 to 24 October.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restrictions on public gatherings withdrawn in Ladakh |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/restrictions-on-public-gatherings-withdrawn-in-ladakh/ |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2026 ===
The talks with Central Government on 4 February remained inconclusive.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2026-05-02 |title=‘Everything will be alright’: Amit Shah meets Ladakh leaders, including Sonam Wangchuk, ahead of talks |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amit-shah-meets-ladakh-leaders-ahead-of-talks-says-everything-will-be-alright/articleshow/130694771.cms |access-date=2026-05-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Wangchuk was released on 14 March, after 170 days of detention. Other activists remained in the detention.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-03-18 |title=Nothing at all: On Sonam Wangchuk’s release, Ladakh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/nothing-at-all-on-sonam-wangchuks-release-ladakh/article70754083.ece |access-date=2026-04-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The protest rallies were organised and shutdown was called for by the LAB and the KDA on 16 March.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashiq |first=Peerzada |date=2026-03-16 |title=Shutdown, protest rallies in Ladakh over Statehood, Sixth Schedule demands |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/shutdown-protest-rallies-in-ladakh-over-statehood-sixth-schedule-demands/article70749757.ece |access-date=2026-04-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> [[Amit Shah]], the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]], visited Ladakh on 30 April and 1 May and met Ladakhi leaders.<ref name=":1" /> The next round of talk with the Central Government is scheduled for 22 May.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Centre–Ladakh talks to resume on May 22; impasse ends ahead of Amit Shah's visit |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/ladakh/centreladakh-talks-to-resume-on-may-22-impasse-ends-ahead-of-amit-shahs-visit-3981631 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ladakh protest, 2025}}
[[Category:2025 protests]]
[[Category:2025 riots]]
[[Category:2025 in India|Protests]]
[[Category:2020s political riots]]
[[Category:September 2025 in Asia]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2025]]
[[Category:Protests in India|2025]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]
[[Category:Gen Z protests]]
[[Category:History of Ladakh]]
[[Category:2020s protests]]

Ladakh protests - Revision history

EveMagill33 at 02:37, 2 May 2026