Tensions stand high in Ladakh as the capital of the Union territory remains under curfew, the prominent face of the protest, Sonam Wangchuk, remains behind bars, and the demonstration, which began as a peaceful hunger strike earlier this month, has turned into one of the region’s most volatile uprisings in recent history, claiming the lives of four civilians, resulting in dozens of injuries, and spiraling beyond control now.
The arrest of Sonam Wanchuk has brought national attention to Ladakh’s long-standing demands for constitutional recognition, environmental safeguards, and political autonomy following its reclassification as a Union Territory in 2019.
“This crackdown, and the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, has escalated the situation. People were aware of the protests in Ladakh, but not to this extent—now, the entire country knows what’s happening in Ladakh,” said Sajjad Kargali, a Ladakh-based politician with KDA, while talking to FoEJ Media.
However, the Ladakh issue is not a month old; it has been experiencing unrest and resentments since its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. The UT status was welcomed in Leh at the start, but Kargil protested the decision; nevertheless, later in the days, the people of Leh too realized that “in the Union Territory setup, Ladakh’s voice has been silenced—so the people of Ladakh felt that they must come together and take collective action,” Sajjad Kargili told FoEJ Media.
This led to the formation of the Leh Apex body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, and both parties together demanded four things, i.e., statehood of Ladakh, the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, job reservations, and Lok Sabha seats for both Leh and Kargil.
Renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk launched a hunger strike in early September 2025 to highlight the demands of Ladakh’s people. As the hunger strike entered its third week, the deteriorating health of two elderly hunger strikers—Tsering Angchuk (72) and Tashi Dolma (60)—ignited an anger among supporters. Their hospitalization on September 24 marked a critical turning point.
“During the hunger strike, the condition of two participants deteriorated—both were elderly, aged 72 and 60. That became a turning point, as their worsening health sparked anger among the youth.” Sajjad told FoEJ Media.
The Peaceful Protest Turned into Violent Clashes
Following the hospitalization, a shutdown was called in Leh. Now the peaceful demonstration quickly spiraled into chaos. Protesters, many of them youth, clashed with police, pelted stones, and torched a police vehicle and the local BJP office.
Security forces responded with tear gas and, allegedly, live fire. By the end of the day, four civilians were dead, over 70 injured, and curfew was imposed across Leh. Internet services were suspended, public gatherings banned, and a heavy security presence enforced.
Wangchuk, ended his hunger strike that evening, calling the day “the saddest in Ladakh’s recent history” and urged people to return to nonviolence.
In the aftermath, the Leh Apex Body hardened its stance. In a statement, it refused to participate in talks with the central government until “normalcy is restored” and all detainees are released. It has also demanded a judicial probe led by a retired Supreme Court judge into the police firing that led to the deaths.
Meanwhile, the government accused climate activist Sonam Wangchuk for the unrest, alleging his “provocative statements” had incited protesters. Over 50 people have been so far arrested, including local leaders and protesters accused of instigating violence.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday revoked the FCRA licence of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) — an organisation founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk — citing violations and ordering the cancellation to take effect immediately and later arrested him under NSA.
Rising unrest in Ladakh poses a serious threat to India’s national security, warns geostrategic expert Brahma Chellaney. In a post on X, he highlighted how ongoing protests in the region — triggered by political neglect, broken promises, and environmental concerns — risk weakening India’s ability to manage external threats from China and Pakistan. Chellaney urged New Delhi to engage in dialogue, avoid coercion, and invest in infrastructure and youth employment to restore trust and stability in this strategically vital border region.
Leh Sees Partial Curfew Relaxation After Week-Long Shutdown
Leh town witnessed a partial easing of curfew on Tuesday, with authorities allowing a four-hour relaxation from 10 AM to 2 PM, permitting essential shops and businesses to operate. The move follows a two-hour relaxation on Monday. Heavy police and paramilitary deployment remains in place, with no major incidents reported. Mobile internet services remain suspended, and restrictions on public gatherings continue. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta urged residents to maintain peace and unity, while further curfew relaxations will depend on the evolving security situation.
