Ladakh on the Boil: Protests, Arrests, and Stalled Dialogue as Centre Struggles to Restore Trust
Ladakh is witnessing its most turbulent phase since becoming a Union Territory in 2019. The violent protests of September 24, the controversial detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, and the deadlock over the October 6 talks have exposed the deepening mistrust between the people of Ladakh and the Centre.
September 24: The Flashpoint of Unrest
The unrest began with widespread demonstrations across Leh and Kargil, where thousands of locals demanded statehood for Ladakh, protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and stronger safeguards for land, jobs, and cultural identity.
The protests turned violent when security forces clashed with demonstrators, leading to dozens of arrests and injuries.
Among those detained was Sonam Wangchuk, a globally recognized climate activist and one of the most prominent voices for Ladakh’s autonomy.
He was booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on allegations of “instigating violence” and shifted to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
His arrest only deepened anger on the ground, with both Leh and Kargil leaders accusing the Centre of criminalizing dissent instead of addressing legitimate demands.
A New Lieutenant Governor Amid Unrest
Adding to the political churn, the Centre appointed Kavinder Gupta, a long-time BJP and RSS leader from Jammu and former Deputy Chief Minister of J&K, as the new Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh barely two months ago.
His appointment has been met with skepticism by local groups, who view it as an attempt to tighten political control rather than empower Ladakh’s people.
The Deadlock Over Talks
To pacify growing anger, the Centre had scheduled talks with the Apex Body, Leh (ABL), and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — the two umbrella organizations representing the aspirations of Leh’s Buddhist-majority and Kargil’s Shia Muslim-majority populations.
But both groups have now declared that they will boycott the October 6 talks, citing the Centre’s failure to create a conducive environment for dialogue.
Their demands are clear:
- Release of all detainees, especially Sonam Wangchuk.
- A judicial inquiry (not a magisterial probe) into the September 24 violence.
- Compensation for victims of police excesses.
Although the Centre attempted a reconciliatory gesture by securing bail for 26 of the 50 detainees, including several grassroots activists, the ABL and KDA insist that half-measures are not enough.
Outreach to Buddhist Leadership
The government has also reached out to Chhering Dorje Lakruk, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and co-chairman of the ABL.
The LBA wields significant influence over Leh’s Buddhist population, but even Lakruk admitted that the government risks running out of time. “I think the talks scheduled for October 6 are difficult now,” he said.
Centre’s Position vs Ladakh’s Core Demands
The Union Government has highlighted that previous dialogues had yielded progress — such as increased Scheduled Tribe reservations, reservations for women in Hill Development Councils, and protections for local languages.
However, Ladakh’s leadership argues that these incremental measures fall short of addressing existential concerns. Their core demands remain:
- Full statehood for Ladakh.
- Constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
- A separate Public Service Commission to ensure fair local recruitment.
- Two parliamentary seats, one for Leh and one for Kargil, instead of the current single seat for the entire UT.
The Road Ahead
The refusal of both Leh and Kargil bodies to attend the October 6 talks underscores a hardening of positions. For Ladakhis, the struggle is no longer about piecemeal concessions but about securing political dignity, environmental safeguards, and constitutional rights.
For the Centre, the choice is stark: continue with limited appeasement and risk further alienation, or take bold steps — such as ordering a judicial inquiry, releasing Sonam Wangchuk, and opening the door to meaningful constitutional guarantees.
Unless decisive action is taken, Ladakh’s unrest could escalate into a long-term confrontation — one that will test New Delhi’s willingness to treat Ladakhis as equal stakeholders in India’s democratic fabric.
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