Protests for statehood spiral into violence
Leh town in Ladakh witnessed its first major outbreak of violence in the ongoing statehood movement on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and many others injured. According to officials quoted by Press Trust of India, security forces opened fire after protesters clashed with the police, vandalised vehicles including one belonging to the police, and attacked a local BJP office.
The unrest came after weeks of peaceful demonstrations and hunger strikes demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for the Union Territory.
Hunger strikes and shutdown before the clashes
The protests had been building momentum over the past fortnight. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a prolonged hunger strike, drawing attention to the growing dissatisfaction with direct Central rule. On Wednesday, protesters observed a complete shutdown before marching through Leh’s streets.
Witnesses said the situation turned violent when security forces attempted to disperse the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, stone-pelting broke out, forcing police to resort to firing. Several people sustained injuries in the clashes.
Political backdrop to the violence
The violence erupted just days ahead of a scheduled meeting between the Centre and Ladakhi representatives. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which have jointly spearheaded the statehood movement, are set to meet government officials on October 6 to resume talks.
The current agitation stems from Ladakh’s altered political status after August 2019, when the region was carved out as a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. Initially welcomed by many in Leh, the move has since triggered widespread concerns about loss of political representation and cultural identity.
Years of growing discontent
Over the past three years, residents of Ladakh have repeatedly voiced fears of a “political vacuum” under the administration of the Lieutenant Governor. Demands for statehood, land protections, and constitutional safeguards have since united both Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil — communities that historically held divergent political positions.
Protests, rallies, and hunger strikes have become a regular feature in Leh and Kargil. Earlier this year, talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah collapsed, with local leaders alleging that the government rejected their demands outright.
One leader told NDTV, “During the meeting, the Home Minister said he had made a mistake by carving out Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. He also rejected our demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule.”
The road ahead
The deaths in Leh mark a new and tense chapter in the Ladakh statehood movement, which had so far remained largely peaceful. The incident is likely to increase pressure on the Centre ahead of the October 6 talks.
Local leaders have warned that unless concrete assurances are given, the protests will intensify. For residents of Ladakh, the fight now extends beyond political rights to preserving their fragile ecology, culture, and livelihoods.