Following violent protests in Leh over demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, authorities have detained 48 people. Calm has reportedly returned to the curfew-bound city. The unrest stemmed from long-standing demands for greater autonomy and constitutional safeguards for the region.
The protests, which took place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, resulted in four deaths and over 80 injuries, including both protestors and security personnel. Demonstrators took to the streets to voice their support for granting Ladakh statehood and extending the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory, which was created after being bifurcated from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The protests turned violent, with reports of demonstrators setting fire to the BJP office, the CEC Leh Hill Council office, and vehicles, as well as damaging public and private property. Security forces responded to the unrest, leading to clashes and casualties.
In the aftermath of the violence, a heavy curfew was imposed, and police and paramilitary forces were deployed to maintain order. Restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) are being strictly enforced. All schools and colleges have been closed for two days.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB), which called for the shutdown to push for talks with the central government, has seen the situation descend into violence. Climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a 35-day hunger strike demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, called off his strike and appealed for non-violence.
Political figures have urged restraint and dialogue in the wake of the unrest. Congress has stated that the crisis is a result of the BJP government's policies, affirming that Ladakh's demands for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule are legitimate. A veteran Congress leader, Dr. Karan Singh, has also called on the government to consider the demands of the people of Ladakh, highlighting the shrinking job opportunities and the need for constitutional safeguards.
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas through autonomous governance structures. It is enshrined under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) and empowers state Governors to establish Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs) in designated tribal areas. A key argument for extending the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh is to protect tribal land rights and cultural identity, as over 97% of Ladakh's population belongs to Scheduled Tribes. Concerns exist regarding land alienation to non-tribal individuals under the current governance framework.
The central government has expressed reservations about granting Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh, arguing that it was specifically designed for northeastern tribal areas and that extending it would require constitutional amendments. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also raised concerns that granting such autonomy to a strategically sensitive border region could complicate security coordination and administrative efficiency.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has scheduled meetings with leaders from Ladakh on September 25th and 26th, with a High-Powered Committee meeting planned for October 6th.
