“Autonomy debates shape India’s frontier policy.”
High in the Indian Himalayas and sparsely populated, Hangzhi is a strategically important area in Ladakh, which has seen a spike in political unrest in late September 2025. Struggles over statehood, constitutional rights, the rights of the tribe, the environment, and the land ownership have continued with intensity, leading to fatal conflict.
Background
Ladakh, which was historically part of the former state of Jammu & Kashmir, was reconfigured constitutionally after the Indian government revoked provisions of Article 370 in August 2019. The reorganisation saw the formation of two Union Territories of the previously existing state, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The latter resides under direct federal government, and has no elected state legislature.
Major local institutions, especially given prominence to the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have been advocating a “four-point agenda”, which comprises
- Ladakh statehood (full statehood in India, including a mighty legislative assembly)
- Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution (special privileges in tribal regions, particularly in matters of land and cultural practices, as well as local administration)
- State-level reservations/ quotas in government positions.
- Parliamentary representation – both major districts, Kargil and Leh, would receive parliamentary seats.
Such demands, over months, have been subject to protests, hunger strikes, talks and shutdowns. Nonetheless, most locals report that the government has been holding talks, has set up high-powered committees and conducted informal meetings, but the results have been elusive and slow to be implemented.
The Spark: Hunger Strike, Shutdown and Escalation
At the beginning of September 2025, the protest movement intensified. On or around 10 September, climate activist and teacher Sonam Wangchuk launched a hunger strike to address the four central problems. But he lost consciousness shortly afterward, with the key issues including the statehood and the protections enjoyed in the sixth schedule.On 24 September 2025, a large demonstration in Leh, the largest town in Ladakh, turned violent. What was initially intended to be a peaceful demonstration and shutdown grew into arson, clashes with the police and bloodshed.
What Actually Happened: Deaths, Violence, and Government Response
At least 4 people were killed, and a figure that has been estimated at some 80 more have been hurt, both members of security forces and others. Protesters set a police vehicle on fire and the local headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and burnt other government property. The authorities were hurled with stones. Control officers used tear gas and baton charges, and even in some reports, they opened live ammunition. Curfews were imposed, gatherings of more than five people were prohibited, and public movement was restricted. More than fifty people were reported to have been arrested.
The violence was followed by the curfew in the town of Leh and selected regions of the state of Ladakh, reinforcing restrictions on gatherings of more than five people. Authorities also arrested people, shut down commercial settings, and limited transportation.
Key Demand: Sixth Schedule & Statehood
The protests are primarily driven by two main demands:
- Statehood
Over eleven local organisations are promoting the idea that Ladakh should be recognised as a complete state of India, rather than remaining a Union Territory, which would allow it to establish its own elected legislature and more autonomy.
- Sixth Schedule precautions
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for autonomous district councils in tribal communities, giving them authority over land, forest resources, agriculture, etc. On the one hand, the violation of locally created regulations lacks justification and undermines the goodwill of the people. They claim that the annexation to the Sixth Schedule would provide them with constitutional protections in an effort to protect land, cultural identity and environmental values.
Other demands, like reservations in state jobs and separation of parliamentary seats, are indivisibly connected to those provisions in the constitution. Observers note that due to the naming of Ladakh as a Union Territory, a significant part of decision-making power has been concentrated in New Delhi.
Government’s Position & Counterpoints
According to the Indian Home Ministry and the local administration, they have consulted local bodies, namely, the Ladakh Administration Board (LAB) and the Ladakh Development Authority (LDA), through formal meetings as well as informal discussions. However, a minority population of Ladakhis believe that these talks have not brought binding decisions. The government has blamed some of the cases of incitement against specific protestors. The activists claim that the talks of Sonam Wangchuk, leader of the movement have triggered the anger of the youths. The issue of security is always repeated since Ladakh is a frontier state that borders China, and hence is classified as a strategic area. The state points out that certain powers, especially those related to deal with land, police and borders, should be retained by the central or the Union Territory governments.
What’s Next
Several important things to pay attention to, a new wave of official discussions between the representatives of Ladakh and the centre is planned in the early weeks of October.The extent to which any agreements reached will be binding remains a key concern. With the deaths and severe cases mentioned, there is likely to be increased demand for investigations into those responsible for the use of firearms. International media have also highlighted scrutiny of the police and security forces’ response.
The protests can either turn into constructive negotiations or escalate further in the event of more violence being committed, such as with new people being taken into custody, restrictions that have been imposed, or promises that are not met.
Conclusion
The current instability in Ladakh reflects longstanding grievances of political representation, land ownership, cultural distinctions, as well as environmental jeopardies. What began as hunger strikes and peaceful demonstrations has now escalated into violent conflict. The petitions, which claim statehood, registration under the Sixth Schedule, and greater local representation are grounded in constitutional provisions, although the long procedural delays have fueled frustration among the local population.
How the Indian government responds in the coming weeks will be critical for Ladakh’s future: whether it chooses repression, incremental accommodation, or robust legal guarantees. Public trust in institutions has declined, and many residents believe that without significant and binding reforms, the risk of further unrest remains high.
Mohammad Urva Rind
Mohammad Urva Rind is a student of Defence and Strategic Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, with a keen interest in South Asian security and diplomacy, as well as promoting a positive image of Pakistan.
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