Saturday, March 29, 2025
Leh, Ladakh | September 24, 2025 –
Massive protests demanding special status for Ladakh spiraled into violence on Tuesday, leaving four people dead, more than 50 injured, and over 100 demonstrators detained. The unrest, which erupted in Leh, saw protesters attacking police with stones, torching a BJP office, and setting vehicles on fire, forcing security forces to resort to tear gas and baton charges.
According to reports from ANI, protesters stormed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh and set it ablaze. The clashes marked one of the most serious outbreaks of violence in the region in recent years.
The protests were linked to long-standing demands for Ladakh to be granted separate constitutional status. Prominent climate activist and reformist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike, appealed for peace after the violence intensified. Later in the evening, he ended his fast.
Earlier this month, the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) had called for a 35-day hunger strike starting September 10. Out of 15 participants, two had to be hospitalized after their health deteriorated, leading to a shutdown call. The shutdown eventually escalated into violent demonstrations.
Addressing a press conference, Wangchuk expressed concern over rising frustration among Ladakhi youth.
“Peaceful protests have brought no results, and now the violence has overshadowed our non-violent struggle. It feels like our efforts are failing. Political parties here lack the ability to guide the youth, and anger is growing,” he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party blamed the Congress for the violence. BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Congress councilor Phuntsog Stanzi Tsepag of leading the mob that targeted the BJP office and Hill Council buildings. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi was encouraging such unrest.
Meanwhile, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta condemned the violence, stating that while protests are democratic rights, they must remain peaceful.
“Over the past two days, attempts were made to provoke people. Comparing these protests to those in Bangladesh and Nepal suggests there is a deeper conspiracy. If police had not intervened, protesters could have destroyed all of Leh city,” Gupta said.
He confirmed that a CRPF vehicle and the Director General’s car were attacked during the clashes. Authorities have launched an investigation into the possible involvement of outsiders in fueling the unrest.
“Those who instigated the violence are responsible for today’s deaths. Such actions cannot be tolerated. Our priority is to restore peace in Ladakh,” the LG added.
The demand for Ladakh’s special status has been growing since the region was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. Local groups allege that Ladakh has been sidelined in terms of political representation, employment opportunities, and environmental safeguards.
With four dead and dozens injured, the latest violence underscores the deepening anger and political tensions in the region, raising serious questions about how the government plans to address Ladakh’s demands.
