The Union Territory of Ladakh is witnessing its most intense wave of protests since 2019. Demonstrators in Leh set fire to a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office, prompting police to use teargas. Clashes left four dead and nearly 30 injured. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) called for a complete shutdown, while climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 15-day hunger strike with an appeal for peaceful resistance.
The unrest reflects long-standing demands for greater autonomy and constitutional safeguards to protect Ladakh’s identity, environment, and tribal population.
Why Ladakh is Tense
When Article 370 was revoked in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir lost its special status and the state was split into two Union Territories. While Jammu and Kashmir retained a legislature, Ladakh became a UT directly ruled by the Centre without an elected assembly.
This arrangement sidelined local voices in decision-making. With 90% of its population belonging to Scheduled Tribes, Ladakhis fear that without safeguards, large-scale industrial projects, demographic shifts, and limited political representation could threaten their culture, land, and resources.
What is the Sixth Schedule?
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides special autonomy to tribal areas through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). These councils hold legislative and administrative powers over land, forests, water, agriculture, health, and policing.
Currently, Sixth Schedule provisions apply in six northeastern states, ensuring tribal communities control their development and safeguard traditional rights.
Ladakh’s demand for Sixth Schedule inclusion is rooted in the need to:
- Protect land and resources from outside exploitation.
- Secure tribal culture and traditions.
- Ensure self-governance in key areas of administration.
Statehood Demand
Beyond Sixth Schedule status, Ladakhis are also pressing for full statehood. Statehood would grant Ladakh an elected assembly and greater say in policymaking, reversing the sense of disempowerment since 2019. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are united in demanding:
- Statehood with legislative powers.
- Sixth Schedule protection.
- Early recruitment in government jobs and a public service commission.
- Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.
Role of Sonam Wangchuk
Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer, innovator, and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient, has emerged as the moral voice of the movement. Known globally for sustainable innovations, he has consistently warned against Ladakh being turned into a “playground for industrial interests.” His hunger strikes and peaceful campaigns have drawn national and international attention to Ladakh’s cause.
Conclusion
The protests in Leh are not just about a single incident but about the larger struggle for political recognition, cultural preservation, and self-rule. As calls for Sixth Schedule protection and statehood grow louder, the Centre faces mounting pressure to address Ladakh’s aspirations before the unrest deepens further.