Ladakh protests: How demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule led to bloodshed
Ladakh, a place known for its picturesque locations, Buddhist temples, and pristine environment, has become the site of widespread protests, violence and arrests.
The stand-off between youth-led demonstrators and security forces was triggered by a longstanding demand for statehood, and Constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule.
But why are Ladakhi's demanding statehood? Why did negotiations with the government fail? And why did the peaceful movement spiral into violence now?
To decipher that, we need to go back to the time when Ladakh was part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ladakh’s demand for statehood is not new. The issue dates back to 1947, when British India was partitioned to form today’s India and Pakistan.
Ladakh was part of the newly formed state of Jammu and Kashmir.
But, not everyone in the region wanted to be part of the state.
Buddhist-majority Leh wanted to define its own political future – as a separate Union Territory. While Muslim-majority Kargil wanted to remain aligned with Jammu and Kashmir.
The demand for Union Territory status was spearheaded by the Ladakh Buddhist Association, a socio-cultural organisation that first took shape in 1931 as the Young Men’s Buddhist Association.
During the late 1960s, they scaled down their demand for an autonomous region.
They believed that the amendment to Article 370 was politically infeasible at the time.
But, that changed in 2019, when Prime Minister Modi-led central government revoked Article 370, and carved out Ladakh as a separate Union Territory.
There were celebrations in Leh, while Kargil continued to oppose the move.
But, the jubilation in Leh soon soured. Under the new arrangement, Ladakh did not have a legislature.
Ladakhi’s felt that the new system diminished their autonomy and representation.
And since 2021, they have been leading a peaceful movement seeking statehood, job quotas, and additional seats in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Thay’re also demanding a special status for Ladakh, which they claim is essential to preserve their distinct identity and culture.
TALKS FAIL
Since 2021, several campaigns and protests were held for statehood and special protection. This prompted the government to form a High-Powered Committee in January 2023.
The committee was headed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
It comprised members of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and other representatives. But all of them rejected the committee, saying only pro-government members were picked.
The committee was reconstituted in November that same year. But the talks again broke down in March 2024.
It was then that activist Sonam Wangchuk stepped in. He sat on an indefinite fast in October to draw the government’s attention to their demands.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to resume talks.
The High-Powered Committee, including leaders from Leh and Kargil, met on December 3, 2024, followed by another meeting on January 15, 2025.
The talks started gaining momentum in May, when the members also met Home Minister Amit Shah.
The last meeting was held on June 3, following which President Droupadi Murmu notified four regulations for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
It defined new policies on reservation, languages, domiciles and the composition of hill councils for Ladakh.
The regulations paved the way for an 85% reservation for the people of Ladakh in government jobs.
But the concessions were not enough. Ladakhi leaders pointed out that their core demands of statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule were still not met.
VIOLENCE
Ladakhis decided to protest again. Early in September, local activists, led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, began a hunger strike.
But on September 24th, the largely peaceful protest took a violent turn.
Some of the protesters set government buildings and a BJP office on fire. To quell the unrest, the administration deployed security personnel.
A clash then erupted between the protesters and security forces, killing 4 people and leaving at least 100 injured.
The administration swiftly imposed additional measures. More forces were deployed, curfews imposed, and the internet was cut off.
It imposed prohibitory orders across Leh and parts of Kargil, barring people from gathering in public spaces.
In the crackdown that followed, several people involved in the protest were detained.
Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act and subsequently imprisoned in Jodhpur.
The Central government pinned the blame on the activist for the September 24 violence.
Ladakh’s top cop hinted at Pakistan’s role in the violence. Director General of police SD Singh Jamwal raked up Wangchuk’s past visit to Pakistan, and linked him to a Pakistani Intelligence Operative, who was arrested in August.
The government also cancelled the FCRA licence of Wangchuk’s NGO, Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. The licence to receive foreign funding was cancelled, citing alleged violations.
FALLOUT
Following the unrest and Wangchuk’s arrest, representative bodies of Leh and Kargil withdrew from negotiations with the Centre. The next round of talks were scheduled for October 6.
The Ministry of Home Affairs soon issued a statement. The government said that it had been actively engaging with the representatives of Leh and Kargil, and that they were open to further discussions. The Centre even promised to address Ladakh’s grievances.
But the government’s assurances were not enough. The people of Ladakh vehemently condemned the administration’s attempt to paint Wangchuk as an anti-national.
They questioned the timing of the government’s move to cancel registrations of Wangchuk’s NGOs.
Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, called it an attempt to silence Wangchuk and weaken the Ladakhi movement.
But the government is not ready to back off from the allegations against Wangchuk. He remains under detention and is likely to face charges under the NSA.
And that’s caused a stalemate between the government and Ladakhi leaders.
Stakeholders from Leh and Kargil have refused talks until justice and peace are restored.
So for now, the road to peace and Ladakhi statehood looks uncertain.
For a region long known for peace, the September bloodshed marked a dark chapter in Ladakh’s history.
