In Ladakh, protests demanding full statehood and constitutional safeguards took a violent turn on Wednesday, resulting in at least four deaths and numerous injuries. The clashes between protesters and security forces have prompted authorities to impose a curfew in parts of Leh and deploy additional paramilitary forces to the region. The central government has stated that the situation is now under control.
The protests, which have been ongoing for several years, কেন্দ্র mainly around demands for statehood for Ladakh, which became a Union Territory in 2019 after Article 370 was effectively abrogated. Demonstrators are also seeking the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh, which would provide constitutional safeguards for the region's tribal areas and allow local communities more say in their administration. Other demands include job reservations for local people and parliamentary seats for both Leh and Kargil.
On September 24, 2025, the protests escalated, with hundreds of young demonstrators engaging in stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh and a police vehicle were set ablaze. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the protesters; however, some reports indicate that lethal weapons were also used. According to Additional Superintendent of Police in Leh, Rigzin Sangdup, four protesters died, 30 were injured, and 60-70 police personnel sustained injuries.
The Union Home Ministry has blamed activist Sonam Wangchuk for inciting the mob through his "provocative statements". Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the Ladakh statehood movement, had been on a hunger strike for 15 days prior to the violence. The ministry stated that violence broke out around 11:30 am and was brought under control by 4 pm, also noting that negotiations between the government and representatives from Ladakh and Kargil were ongoing and had yielded some positive results, such as higher reservations and language rights.
Sonam Wangchuk has since called off his hunger strike and denounced the violence. While condemning the violence, Wangchuk also pointed to the growing frustration among young people due to the central government's unfulfilled promises. He said that the youth felt peaceful protests were not enough.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta suggested a conspiracy, stating that protesters attempted to burn paramilitary personnel inside a vehicle and pelted stones at the Director General of Police's vehicle. He affirmed that those responsible for the violence would be investigated and face stern action.
The protests have disrupted normal life in Ladakh, leading to the cancellation of the four-day Ladakh festival. Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), banning gatherings of five or more people.
The situation in Ladakh remains tense, with the government urging people not to circulate old or provocative videos on social media. A fresh round of talks between the central government and Ladakh representatives is scheduled for October 6.
