4 dead, 80 injured: Why is Ladakh burning, and why is Centre blaming Sonam Wangchuk?

Ladakh protests

What began as a peaceful agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards spiralled into the worst violence in Ladakh in decades, leaving four dead and more than 80 injured. Curfew was imposed across Leh on Wednesday after after protesters clashed with security forces, set government offices ablaze and torched vehicles.

The unrest marks the bloodiest confrontation since Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019, with TOI reporting that the day’s events revived painful memories of the 1989 protests in which three people were killed.

The immediate spark came late on Tuesday when two hunger strikers, 72-year-old Tsering Angchuk and 60-year-old Tashi Dolma, were rushed to hospital in critical condition. They had been fasting for 35 days demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. By Wednesday morning, youth across Leh mobilised, calling a shutdown and converging on Martyrs’ Ground.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike since September 10, admitted the hospitalisation acted as the flashpoint. “I request the youth of Ladakh to stop the violence forthwith as it only causes harm to our cause,” he said, calling it the “saddest day for Ladakh”.

At the centre of the agitation are four key demands. Protesters want statehood for Ladakh, along with the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They are also seeking separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, in addition to employment reservations for locals.

Activists argue that without these safeguards, Ladakh’s fragile ecology, tribal identity and land rights will remain vulnerable. As Live Mint pointed out, many residents had initially celebrated Union Territory status in 2019, but disillusionment soon followed as concerns grew over centralised decision-making and the absence of a legislative assembly.

Officials confirmed that four people aged 19, 20, 23 and 46 were killed in Wednesday’s clashes. More than 80 others were injured, including at least 40 police and CRPF personnel, according to TOI.

Witnesses described stone-pelting, lathi charges, teargas shelling and eventually live rounds fired by security forces. Several protesters reportedly lost limbs in the violence.

Crowds set fire to the BJP headquarters, the Hill Council office and a police vehicle. A CRPF van was also torched. Videos shared on X showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from Leh’s streets as sirens blared.

The police imposed curfew across Leh and restrictions under Section 163 of BNSS banned all public rallies.

The Union home ministry accused “politically motivated individuals” of fuelling unrest. In a statement, the ministry said, “The government stands committed to the aspiration of the people of Ladakh by providing adequate constitutional safeguards.” It also warned against circulating old or misleading videos.

The ministry specifically criticised Wangchuk’s mention of “Arab Spring” and Nepal’s “Gen Z protests”, calling his remarks provocative. It said the mob “was incited by Shri Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements.”

Faced with escalating violence, Wangchuk ended his 15-day fast. “We will keep our agitation non-violent,” he insisted, though acknowledging that frustration among youth had grown after years of joblessness and ignored appeals.

“This was a Gen Z revolution,” he said, while clarifying that he had not orchestrated the rampage.

Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta condemned the clashes, calling them “heart-wrenching” and a “conspiracy to disturb Ladakh’s peace”. He alleged vested interests were attempting to replicate uprisings in Nepal and Bangladesh.

“Those who instigated protests are responsible for deaths in Ladakh today,” Gupta said.

The violence quickly became a flashpoint in national politics. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Congress of fuelling the unrest, claiming the agitation was disguised as a “Gen Z revolution”.

Congress leader Manish Tewari, however, blamed the Modi government for mishandling the crisis and delaying talks. Omar Abdullah, chief minister of neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir, remarked: “Ladakh wasn’t even promised Statehood, they celebrated UT status in 2019 & they feel betrayed & angry. Now try to imagine how betrayed we in J&K feel.”

On X, BJP leader Amit Malviya posted images accusing a local Congress councillor of participating in the mob that stormed BJP offices.

Since 2019, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have spearheaded demands for constitutional safeguards. A High-Powered Committee was set up in 2023, but according to Live Mint, talks have yielded little beyond a domicile policy.

The government has scheduled the next round of talks for 6 October. However, Wangchuk and LAB leaders insist the Centre is dragging its feet.

By late Wednesday, the administration claimed to have brought the situation under control. Reinforcements from the CRPF were deployed and injured protesters remain in critical care.

Authorities and activists alike warn that unless dialogue resumes urgently, tensions could resurface. “We do not want instability in Ladakh and the country,” Wangchuk said.