Ladakh, its youth paying huge price for narrow politics played by certain individuals: Govt sources

In a sharp reaction to the protests in Leh town, the Centre on Wednesday claimed that the situation didn’t spiral on its own — it was engineered deliberately, sources in the Union government said.

Four protesters were killed and over 70 injured in violent clashes between the security forces and unruly protesters in Leh town on Wednesday as the District Magistrate (DM) imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023.

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“Ladakh and its youth are paying a huge price for the narrow politics played by certain individuals and personal ambitions by Sonam Wangchuk,” sources in the Union government said.

Clashes erupted on Wednesday between protesting youths and the police here as the protestors called for hastening of talks between the Centre and the representatives of Ladakh region, pertaining to the demand for inclusion in the 6th Schedule, statehood, and protecting the fragile ecosystem of the region.

Wednesday’s protests followed deterioration in the condition of two of the 15 people sitting on a hunger strike. They were admitted to hospital even as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk decided to break his fast and appealed for peaceful talks.

Wangchuk, who had been fasting as part of the ongoing agitation led by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body, announced his decision after violent protests broke out in parts of Ladakh. In his statement, he urged the youth and general public to maintain peace and not resort to violence, stressing that the struggle for Ladakh’s rights must remain non-violent.

“The Centre had already fixed October 6 for the meeting of the High Powered Committee to discuss all issues posed by ABL and KDA. The Centre also agreed on the new members for HPC as proposed by ABL. Upon receiving a request for preponement, some meetings were being considered on September 25-26. In fact, the Center has always been ready for the talks and on earlier occasions also talks were proposed on 25th July which did not receive positive response,” the sources said.

They said even as talks are lined up with an open mind, violence was provoked. Why?

“Sonam Wangchuck has long hinted at wanting an Arab Spring-style protest in Ladakh. His references to Gen Z protests in Nepal now seem like a blueprint. Has he used the platform for his personal issues to hide certain irregularities which are coming in light now,” the sources asked.

They alleged that Congress leaders made statements that almost sounded like instructions — talk of pelting stones, bandhs, arson. Why were they so ready? The entire episode smacks of conspiracy motivated by politics and personal gains.

“The youth are not to be blamed. They were misled, caught up in a sinister plot for political and personal gain. The Center stands committed to the welfare and empowerment of Ladakhi people and stands with the youth,” they said.

Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory in August 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. At that time, many in Leh, including Sonam Wangchuk, had welcomed the move. But within a year, concerns began to mount over what residents described as a political vacuum under the administration of the Lieutenant Governor. This discontent gave rise to large-scale protests and hunger strikes.

For the first time, political and religious groups from Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil joined hands under a joint platform: The Apex Body of Leh and the KDA. The 15-day hunger strike had drawn widespread attention across Ladakh, with locals rallying in support of demands including constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, statehood, and protection of the fragile ecosystem.

However, the flare-up of clashes and rising tensions forced Wangchuk to end his hunger strike.

Leaders of the KDA and other trade bodies have already announced intensified protests, including ‘chakka jam’ in the coming days.