New Delhi: In a dramatic escalation of tensions in India’s Himalayan region, prominent climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was detained by authorities on September 26, 2025, following violent demonstrations in Leh that resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries. The arrest has sparked widespread outrage, with supporters organizing candlelight vigils in New Delhi and beyond, highlighting deep-seated frustrations over Ladakh’s political status. This incident underscores ongoing calls for greater autonomy, job protections, and constitutional safeguards in the federally administered territory, drawing national and international attention to the “Gen Z revolution” sweeping the area.
Background of Ladakh’s Political Turmoil
Ladakh, a high-altitude region bordering China and Pakistan, has been a hotspot of discontent since 2019. That year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, carving out Ladakh as a separate Union Territory under direct central control. This move, while initially welcomed by some Buddhist-majority areas in Leh, has left the territory without a legislative assembly, stripping locals of significant decision-making power over land, jobs, and resources.
Home to diverse Buddhist and Muslim communities, Ladakh spans the districts of Leh and Kargil. Residents argue that the lack of statehood has exposed them to exploitation, with vast tracts of land eyed for solar energy projects and other developments that benefit outsiders. Protests have simmered for six years, involving peaceful marches, hunger strikes, and demands led by local organizations like the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). These groups seek full statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for tribal protections, separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil, and reserved employment opportunities for indigenous people.
The Spark: Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike and Rising Tensions
The latest wave of unrest began in early September 2025, when Sonam Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Award winner known for his work in education and environmental activism, initiated a 14-day hunger strike at Martyrs Park in Leh. Joined by other activists, including members of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL)—an NGO he founded—the fast aimed to pressure the central government into addressing these long-standing grievances.
Wangchuk’s involvement has been pivotal. As a vocal advocate, he has educated locals on the importance of preserving their culture, land, and identity amid rapid changes. His speeches emphasized how the 2019 reorganization demoted Ladakh, leaving it vulnerable to corporate interests. For instance, he highlighted Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s 2023 budget announcement of a multi-billion-dollar solar power plant, arguing it would displace locals without benefiting them.
By September 23, the health of two hunger strikers deteriorated, requiring hospitalization. This ignited passions among the youth, often dubbed “Gen Z” protesters, who gathered in thousands at the park the next day to show solidarity. Eyewitness accounts describe the initial assembly as peaceful, focused on protecting Ladakh’s future.
Escalation into Violence: Clashes in Leh on September 24
Tensions erupted around 11:30 a.m. on September 24, when a group of young protesters, defying elders’ pleas, marched from Martyrs Park toward key government buildings. They targeted the office of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) chairman and the civil secretariat, home to the region’s bureaucracy.
Upon reaching the LAHDC office, demonstrators encountered heavy security deployments from Ladakh Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Clashes ensued, with stones pelted by protesters met with tear gas, baton charges, and eventually live ammunition. Authorities claim the firing was in self-defense, but eyewitnesses dispute this, alleging direct targeting of civilians, including the elderly and women.
Simultaneously, about 400 meters away, another mob besieged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office on Choklamsar Road. Videos show protesters pulling down the BJP flag while leaving the national flag intact, then setting the building ablaze. Posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the 2024 elections were specifically vandalized, with faces defaced and walls damaged. A police vehicle outside was also torched.
By 3 p.m., the crowd returned to Martyrs Park, mingling with remaining protesters. As evening approached and some activists, including women, began ending their fasts, security forces moved in to clear the site. Armed with automatic rifles, pellet guns, tear gas launchers, and batons, they charged, leading to chaos. Eyewitnesses report heavy firing, with wails of the injured filling the air amid tear gas smoke.
At least four civilians were killed, and dozens injured, including around 90 protesters—many minors. Hospital accounts from Sonam Narboo Memorial Hospital in Leh detail severe wounds: a teenager named Samphael (name changed) suffered a fractured fibula from a bullet that passed through his leg. Former Indian Army soldier Stanzin Otsal, recuperating with a bullet-fractured leg, described the scene as indiscriminate, noting that water cannons or rubber bullets could have been used instead.
Ladakh Police Director General S.D.M. Jamwal reported 35 security personnel injured, including a CRPF officer with a grievous spinal injury. He defended the forces, stating they prevented the city from being engulfed in flames and acted based on intelligence of potential breakdowns. Four female police officers were reportedly trapped inside the burning BJP office.
Aftermath: Curfews, Internet Shutdowns, and Wangchuk’s Arrest
In response to the violence—described as the “bloodiest day” in Ladakh’s recent history—authorities imposed curfews in Leh and parts of Kargil, closed schools, and prohibited public gatherings. Mobile internet services were suspended in Leh on September 26 as a precautionary measure.
The Union Home Ministry accused Wangchuk of inciting violence through “provocative statements” and revoked the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) license of SECMOL, citing alleged violations. Wangchuk denied these claims, asserting the unrest reflected widespread frustration with New Delhi’s policies.
On September 26, Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act ahead of a scheduled press conference. Supporters, including members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), held candlelight vigils at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, protesting his detention. Images from the vigil show participants holding signs demanding statehood and job quotas for locals.
Demands and Government Response: A Stalemate?
Protesters’ core demands remain unchanged: full statehood to enable elected local governance; Sixth Schedule inclusion for autonomous tribal councils; separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil; and job reservations to counter high unemployment—evidenced by 47,000 applicants for just 500 jobs recently advertised.
The BJP had promised these safeguards in its 2019 parliamentary and 2020 local election manifestos, including Sixth Schedule status. However, critics argue that as Ladakh’s solar and geothermal potential attracts big corporations, the government hesitates to empower locals who might block land leases. Conflicts between indigenous land rights and military needs in this strategically sensitive area further complicate matters.
Negotiations between Ladakh leaders and the central government have ongoing since 2023, with the next round scheduled for October 6. Officials indicate willingness for fresh talks with LAB and KDA, but mistrust persists. Kargil activist Sajjad Hussain called for an impartial probe into security forces’ conduct, holding them accountable for excessive force.
Broader Implications: A ‘Gen Z Revolution’ and National Spotlight
This unrest marks a generational shift, with youth breaking from traditional methods, torching symbols of central authority. It has drawn comparisons to broader Indian protest waves, thrusting Ladakh’s aspirations into the national discourse.
The government’s actions, including FCRA revocation and arrests, have fueled accusations of scapegoating Wangchuk. Protesters warn that suppression won’t quell demands; Otsal vowed to continue peacefully, even at personal cost.
As curfews linger and talks loom, Ladakh’s future hangs in balance. Will October 6 yield concessions, or deepen divides? For now, the region grapples with grief, demanding justice and autonomy in equal measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What sparked the violent protests in Ladakh on September 24, 2025?
The protests in Leh, Ladakh, escalated on September 24, 2025, after a 14-day hunger strike led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, demanding statehood and constitutional protections. Tensions rose when two strikers were hospitalized, prompting thousands, mostly Gen Z youth, to gather at Martyrs Park. A group of protesters marched toward government buildings, including the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and BJP office, leading to clashes with security forces. Stone pelting, tear gas, and live gunfire resulted in four civilian deaths and dozens of injuries.
2. Why was Sonam Wangchuk arrested, and under what charges?
Sonam Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, under the National Security Act, ahead of a planned press conference. The Indian government accused him of inciting violence through “provocative statements” during the protests. The Union Home Ministry also revoked the FCRA license of his NGO, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, citing alleged violations. Wangchuk denied these claims, attributing the unrest to local frustration with New Delhi’s policies.
3. What are the main demands of the Ladakh protesters?
Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, are demanding:
- Full statehood for Ladakh to enable elected local governance.
- Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for autonomous tribal protections.
- Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
Job and land reservations to protect local communities from external exploitation, particularly amid projects like solar power plants.
4. How has the government responded to the unrest in Ladakh?
Authorities imposed curfews in Leh and parts of Kargil, shut down mobile internet services, closed schools, and banned public gatherings. The police justified their use of live ammunition as self-defense, claiming 35 personnel were injured. The Union Home Ministry has engaged in talks with Ladakh leaders since 2023, with the next round scheduled for October 6, 2025. However, actions like Wangchuk’s arrest and the FCRA revocation have deepened mistrust.
5. What is the significance of the “Gen Z revolution” in Ladakh?
The term “Gen Z revolution” refers to the youth-led protests that shifted from peaceful demonstrations to confrontational actions, such as torching the BJP office and government buildings. Unlike earlier protests led by elders, this wave saw younger activists, frustrated by high unemployment and land concerns, take bold steps. The violence, including targeting symbols of central authority, highlights growing discontent with the 2019 decision to make Ladakh a Union Territory without a legislature.
