On September 24, 2025, things went wrong in Leh, Ladakh. It began as a calm demonstration, but it turned into fighting and became a tragedy. The local people there wanted Ladakh to finally be an official state. They wanted more control over their own stuff. They also wanted Ladakh to be part of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. That act would give the region extra protection and freedom to govern themselves.
The cause of it all? Many young people in Ladakh felt like they weren't being listened to when big choices were being made about their home. They wanted the Constitution to protect Ladakh’s unique culture and lifestyle better. It's sad, but the demonstration became a bad, violent encounter with the police. Buildings got wrecked, and folks died.
How Did This All Happen?
Remember in 2019 when Jammu and Kashmir was split? Ladakh then became a Union Territory, but that means it's run straight by the central government in Delhi. Ladakh does not get to have its own elected government, making major decisions. After that change, lots of Ladakh residents felt voiceless. They were worried about keeping their traditions alive, protecting the area’s beautiful mountains and rivers, and being sure their rights were defended. That’s why everybody wanted those two main things: Ladakh becoming a real state again, and being part of the Sixth Schedule. That Sixth Schedule is like a special rulebook. The rulebook hands regions – with lots of tribal peeps more power to govern themselves.
September 24: The Day Things Exploded
The September 24 protest was first really quiet. Thousands of young adults shut their shops and businesses to show they were not joking around. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) planned everything. They were backed by lots of local organizations. But, things started growing worse. Two people on a hunger strike as part of the protest had to quickly get to a hospital. Protesters because really mad and things turned crazy quickly. Folks started throwing rocks, making fires, and hurting the police.
The protesters burned down the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh, and they also wrecked a police vehicle with fire. The police fought back with batons and tear gas to break up the crowd. Sadly, four people died, and over 30 got hurt, some super bad. The local Leh government stopped all future protests immediately. They brought in more police to get things back under control. The situation was super tense.
Sonam Wangchuk Tries to Calm Things Down
Sonam Wangchuk is a popular educator, inventor, and environmental activist. He jumped into the picture. He’s been all about Ladakh becoming a state. He even did a 35-day hunger strike himself, for the Sixth Schedule and statehood. What he did got a lot of attention, especially from younger folks who shared his worries about Ladakh's future and the protection of its culture.
When the demonstration got bad, Wangchuk stopped his hunger strike. He requested everyone to remain cool, and begged for the administration to sit down and talk with the protesters. He drove home the point that protesting without violence matters. Also, Wangchuk said that the coming talks with the central government could lead to good changes.
What's Next in Line: Talks Soon
The central government and Ladakh representatives are meeting up on October 6, 2025. What will they talk about most? You got it: Ladakh becoming a state and being put under the Sixth Schedule. These talks are a big deal. Everybody hopes they make the tension go away and give the people of Ladakh what they want. The administration and local leaders both want to find a calm way forward.
Political Problems Following violence
The violence at the protest has made politicians say stuff all over the spectrum. Omar Abdullah used to be the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and he criticized the central government, especially the BJP. He said the government was dragging its feet on purpose when it came to giving Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir statehood. He thinks they lost elections there, and are just doing it to be mean. He thought that the people were being punished for not being BJP supporters.
The BJP people said that a Congress councillor named Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag made the protesters become violent. This made even more anger and stirred the pot more. Sonam Wangchuk took up for the Congress councillor, and argued against the BJP. These complaints and counter-complaints show the deep political rifts that have to do with the happenings in Ladakh.
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