Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has asserted that the people, culture, and traditions of Ladakh are under attack by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His statements come in the wake of recent unrest in the region, including violent protests in Leh, which resulted in casualties and the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Gandhi voiced his support for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, a key demand of protesters in the Union Territory. The Sixth Schedule grants special rights and powers to tribal regions, including protections related to land, governance, and administration. Many regional groups have long advocated for these protections, arguing that they are necessary to preserve local culture, protect land rights, and empower indigenous communities.
In a post on X, Gandhi stated, "Ladakh's amazing people, culture, and traditions are under attack by the BJP and RSS...Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing 4 young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk. Stop the killing. Stop the violence. Stop the intimidation...Give Ladakh a voice. Give them the 6th Schedule". He has criticized the BJP-led central government for its handling of the situation, alleging that the government is suppressing the voice and identity of Ladakhis.
The recent unrest in Leh saw violent confrontations between protesters and security forces during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre regarding statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The protests reportedly involved arson and vandalism, including the torching of a local BJP office and vehicles. Authorities responded with baton charges, resulting in several deaths and injuries. Consequently, a curfew was imposed in Leh for several days.
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent climate activist and a leading voice in the demand for statehood for Ladakh, was arrested and detained. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has accused Wangchuk of inciting violence through his statements, drawing parallels to the Arab Spring and Nepal's Gen Z protests. However, Wangchuk's wife has countered these claims, stating that the violence was a result of paramilitary forces using tear gas on a peaceful crowd.
Other political figures have also weighed in on the situation. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the central government's handling of the situation and the arrest of Wangchuk. He demanded the immediate restoration of institutions and democracy in Ladakh, as well as a judicial inquiry into the police firing that resulted in the deaths of four youths. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation also criticized Wangchuk's arrest, calling it a manifestation of the government's "witch-hunting agenda".
The situation in Ladakh remains tense, with authorities taking measures to maintain order and conduct security reviews. The events have brought into focus critical questions about political voice, autonomy, and the state's role in managing dissent in the region. The demand to extend Sixth Schedule protections to Ladakh has become a rallying point for regional groups seeking to preserve their local culture, protect land rights, and empower indigenous communities.
