Recent violent protests in Ladakh, sparked by demands for statehood and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, have ignited a political blame game between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. The BJP has accused the Congress party of inciting the violence, while activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the Ladakh movement, has disputed these claims.

The unrest in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, resulted in at least four deaths and numerous injuries. Protesters, primarily youth, took to the streets, setting fire to a BJP office and vehicles, and clashing with police forces. The immediate trigger for the violence was the deteriorating health of hunger strike supporters, who were hospitalized, prompting calls for protests. These protests are part of a long-standing agitation for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which grants legislative and financial autonomy to tribal-majority areas.

The BJP has directly accused a Congress councillor, Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, of instigating the violence. BJP leaders have shared photos and videos allegedly showing Tsepag participating in the unrest and instigating the mob that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council. They questioned whether this was the kind of unrest that Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi desired.

However, Sonam Wangchuk has refuted the BJP's allegations, stating that the Congress party does not have enough influence to mobilize thousands of youth in Ladakh. He acknowledged that the Congress councillor might have reacted in anger after learning that people from his village were injured and hospitalized during the protests. Still, he maintains that the protests stemmed from the frustration and anger of the youth due to the government's failure to address their demands. Wangchuk described the protests as a "Gen-Z revolution," emphasizing the youth's long-standing grievances and feelings of disenfranchisement.

Following the eruption of violence, Sonam Wangchuk called off his 15-day hunger strike and appealed for peace. He expressed sadness over the violence, stating that it damages the cause for which they have been fighting. He urged the youth to refrain from violence and engage in calm dialogue with the government.

The protests have also brought attention to the unfulfilled promise of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory, directly under central administration. This move led to demands for Ladakh's inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to protect the region's fragile ecosystem, land, and jobs, considering that over 90% of Ladakh's population belongs to Scheduled Tribes.

The situation remains tense, with authorities imposing restrictions and banning gatherings in certain areas. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has condemned the violence and assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible. Talks between the Union Home Ministry and Ladakh representatives are scheduled for October 6, and Sonam Wangchuk has stressed the importance of holding these talks sooner to address the growing discontent among the people.