Leh: Leh erupted in unrest on Wednesday as hundreds of students poured onto the streets in support of climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk’s call for full statehood to Ladakh. What began as a show of solidarity with Wangchuk’s ongoing fast quickly spiraled into chaos, with angry protesters clashing with security personnel, torching vehicles and even setting the local BJP office on fire.
The demonstrations, dominated by young voices, echoed with slogans demanding that Ladakh be granted statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. Tensions flared when a CRPF vehicle was set ablaze, forcing authorities to tighten security across Leh. The attack on the BJP office marked a dramatic escalation, underscoring the growing frustration of residents who accuse the Centre of ignoring Ladakh’s concerns since the region was carved into a Union Territory in 2019.
The protests come ahead of a fresh round of talks between the government and Ladakh representatives, comprising members of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on October 6.
The youth wing of the LAB had called for a 35-day hunger strike starting September 10, reported the PTI. During the course of the strike, two people out of 15 were hospitalised. This reportedly triggered a call for protest and shutdown by the youth wing.
“Our protest is peaceful, but people are getting impatient. The situation may get out of our hands… The talks have already been delayed,” LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey, said earlier, as quoted by PTI.
Wangchuk, widely admired for his pioneering work in education and environmental conservation, has become the face of the movement. His influence extends far beyond activism: he founded SECMOL to reform education in Ladakh, inspired a character in the Bollywood hit 3 Idiots, and was honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018.
Leh, usually known for its calm, is now simmering with anger, with students at the forefront of a movement that has turned into one of the most serious challenges for the government in the region since the abrogation of Article 370.
