The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is demanding the unconditional release of activist Sonam Wangchuk and other youth leaders detained in Leh following recent protests. The KDA has warned the central government that failure to meet Ladakh's demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule is "alienating" the people of the region.
The demands come in the wake of escalating tensions in Ladakh, after violent protests erupted in Leh on September 24, 2025, resulting in casualties and injuries. Protesters were demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Wangchuk, a prominent figure in these demonstrations, was subsequently detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
The KDA has suspended talks with the central government until Wangchuk and other detainees are released, and a judicial probe is ordered into the September 24 killings. Asgar Ali Karbalai, co-chairman of the KDA, stated that the events in Leh were "not just an attack on protesters but on democracy itself". The KDA has dismissed allegations from the Union Territory (UT) administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and condemned the labeling of Ladakhis as "anti-nationals".
Sonam Wangchuk's detention has sparked widespread debate, transforming him from a celebrated innovator and education reformist into a central figure in the protests. Authorities allege that Wangchuk incited violence through "provocative statements," referencing "Arab Spring" and "Nepal Gen Z protests". He was arrested on September 26 and transported to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, approximately 1,600 km from Ladakh.
The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter, issuing a notice to the central government on a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging his detention under the NSA. Angmo's petition argues that the grounds for Wangchuk's detention have not been provided to the family, hindering their ability to challenge the detention order. The court has scheduled a resumed hearing for October 14.
Amidst these developments, local groups leading the protests have withdrawn from talks with the central government, insisting on the unconditional release of detainees, including Wangchuk, and compensation for those killed in the firing by security forces.
The KDA has voiced concerns about a growing sense of "alienation and betrayal" among the people of Ladakh, emphasizing that the idea of a Union Territory has "failed badly in addressing the aspirations of the people". They are demanding protection of their tribal identity and the "actual delivery of democracy".
