Ladakh Unrest Turns Violent: Gen-Z Protests, Statehood Demands, and Leh’s Ban on Gatherings

The usually peaceful mountains of Ladakh witnessed rare turmoil on 24 September 2025, as youth-led protests for statehood and Sixth Schedule status spiralled into violence in Leh. The unrest, described by activist Sonam Wangchuk as a “Gen-Z revolution”, left 4 dead and at least 30 injured, forcing the Leh administration to impose strict curbs, including a ban on public gatherings.

What Triggered the Unrest in Ladakh?

The agitation, spearheaded by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been building for months. Protesters are demanding:

• Full statehood for Ladakh, carved out from Jammu & Kashmir in 2019.
• Sixth Schedule status, granting constitutional safeguards for Ladakh’s tribal population, local governance, and resources.

The movement gained momentum after Wangchuk’s hunger strike, which ended on Wednesday when violence broke out, including vandalism, stone-pelting, and the torching of a BJP office.

Key Developments in Leh

• Protesters clash with police – crowds gathered at the NDS memorial ground before marching through Leh streets.
• Violence spreads – BJP office set ablaze, vehicles torched, and shops forced shut.
• Leh administration steps in – imposed Section 163 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), banning gatherings of five or more.
• Reinforcements deployed – police and paramilitary rushed to control mobs after several hours of chaos.
• Dialogue ahead – talks between the Home Ministry and Ladakh leaders scheduled for October 6, 2025.

Why the Demand for Sixth Schedule Matters

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution applies to tribal-majority areas in four northeastern states—Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It provides:

• Autonomous district councils with legislative and financial powers.
• Control over land, forests, water, and local resources.
• Protection of cultural identity and traditional governance.

Ladakh’s tribal groups argue that such provisions are necessary to safeguard land, jobs, and environment against unchecked industrial and tourism projects.

The Gen-Z Factor in Protests

What makes the Ladakh agitation different is the strong role of youth activism. Large numbers of young students, first-time voters, and digital-age activists have mobilised through social media campaigns, street marches, and solidarity events.

Wangchuk described it as a “youth’s anger”, reflecting frustration with delays in dialogue and the fear that Ladakh’s unique identity is being diluted.

Political Fallout

The violence has sparked political blame games:

• BJP accused the opposition of “inciting mobs”.
• Protest leaders argued the unrest was spontaneous, triggered by the administration’s indifference.
• Former MP and LAB chairperson Thupstan Chhewang returned to lead the upcoming talks, signalling a renewed push for negotiations.

Implications for Ladakh’s Future

The unrest raises big questions:

1. Governance – Will Ladakh get legislative autonomy similar to Sixth Schedule areas?
2. Security – With the region bordering China and Pakistan, prolonged instability could have national security consequences.
3. Youth engagement – Gen-Z protests may reshape Ladakh’s political landscape, giving young voices a stronger platform.

Quick Takeaway

• 24 Sept 2025: Protests for statehood in Ladakh turned violent in Leh.
• 4 killed, 30 injured as clashes erupted.
• BJP office torched, vehicles vandalised, bandh observed.
• Section 163 of BNS imposed, banning gatherings.
• Demands: Statehood + Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh’s tribal-majority population.
• Talks with the Centre scheduled for October 6.

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