What triggered ‘Gen Z’ protests in Leh, Ladakh?
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Violence erupted in Leh, Ladakh, on 24 September after two weeks of mostly peaceful protests demanding statehood and greater local autonomy. The protest turned deadly when demonstrators clashed with security forces; at least four people died and more than 70 were injured.
The unrest stems from deep‐seated frustration over Ladakh’s status since it became a Union Territory (UT) in 2019. Unlike Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh was created without an elected legislature, placing it under direct central control. Locals say this has left them politically marginalised, especially when it comes to influencing development, land rights, and environmental protections.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk—who led a hunger strike—became a focal point. He accused the central government of backtracking on promises made in 2020, especially regarding local rights and employment for youth. The government, for its part, blamed Wangchuk for “provocative” speech and for inciting unrest, alleging that he misled people by invoking comparisons to Arab Spring and recent youth protests in Nepal.
The immediate spark was the worsening health of hunger strikers and disagreement over the government’s announced timeline for talks. Tensions escalated when protesters attacked and set fire to a BJP office and a CRPF van; in the ensuing clashes, police responded with force.
Political blame has flown between parties: the BJP accused Congress of instigating violence, while opposition leaders pointed out that “statehood” was never part of the original UT agreement. Meanwhile, leaders in Jammu & Kashmir expressed sympathy, saying Ladakh’s experience of broken promises feels familiar.
Going forward, a high‐powered committee is scheduled to meet on 6 October to address Ladakh’s demands. The protests and their fallout have laid bare the tensions between regional autonomy, central control, and the aspirations of youth in geopolitically sensitive border regions.
