Statehood demand | Violent clashes in Ladakh as protestors pelt stones, vandalise BJP local office amid shutdown

Srinagar: Leh district of Ladakh Union Territory witnessed violent protests on Wednesday after the health condition of Sonam Wangchuk's two supporters deteriorated during his ongoing hunger strike demanding statehood for the cold desert region and constitutional safeguards.

Wangchuk, the renowned climate activist and educator, has been on a 35-day fast pressing for full-fledged statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard land, jobs, and cultural identity. His protest has reignited long-standing concerns over Ladakh’s political future.

Reports and videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of youths pouring onto the streets of Leh on Wednesday morning, accusing the Central government of “denying Ladakh its rights.” In several clips widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), groups of protesters could be seen attempting to storm the office of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, while police tried to block their entry.

As tempers flared, demonstrators pelted stones at the LAHDC building and security personnel. Viral images also showed several vehicles engulfed in flames. In another video, a mob could be seen vandalising the local office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of betraying promises made when Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory in August 2019. Police later resorted to baton charges and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

On September 20, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had announced the resumption of talks with Ladakh leadership, with the next round scheduled for October 6. The ministry had earlier set up a high-powered committee on January 2, 2023, after prolonged protests in Ladakh, with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status.

Reacting to Wednesday’s violence, KDA leader Sajad Kargili wrote on X: “Whatever is happening in Leh is unfortunate. Ladakh, once peaceful, is now gripped by frustration & insecurity due to Govt’s failed UT experiment. The onus lies on the Govt—resume dialogue, act sensibly & fulfill Ladakh’s demand for Statehood & Sixth Schedule without delay. Also I appeal people to remain peaceful and steadfast.”

The demand for protections dates back to the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370, when Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and downgraded to a Union Territory without a legislature. Since then, political groups and civil society have repeatedly voiced fears of losing land and job rights, warning of threats to Ladakh’s cultural identity.

This is not the first time the region has witnessed such unrest. In 2019, massive protests erupted in Kargil against the UT status, with residents demanding restoration of democratic rights. In 2021 and 2022, joint demonstrations by LAB and KDA mobilised thousands across Leh and Kargil for constitutional safeguards. Last year, a large rally in Leh brought together both Buddhist and Muslim leaders, warning that Ladakh’s distinct identity was at risk without legislative protections.

In solidarity with the Leh protesters, the KDA has called for a complete shutdown on Thursday. Authorities have since increased police deployment across both Leh and Kargil districts, though the situation in Leh remained tense at the time of filing this report.