Violence erupted in Leh, Ladakh, on Wednesday as a protest that had persisted for over a week escalated into clashes with security forces. Activist Sonam Wangchuk indicated that these protests stemmed from mounting frustration over the absence of statehood and local governance since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019. The Gen Z protests in Ladakh, which had been predominantly peaceful in the weeks leading up to Wednesday, saw Wangchuk, a climate activist, leading the charge through a hunger strike. In a statement denouncing the violence, he described it as “an outburst of the young generation that brought them onto the streets.” He referred to the events as a “Gen Z revolution” when he ended his hunger strike on Wednesday.
Conversely, the government criticized Wangchuk for allegedly misleading the public with provocative comparisons to Arab Spring-style protests and the Gen Z demonstrations in Nepal. Why are the protests occurring in Ladakh? Following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh was established as a separate Union Territory in 2019. Unlike Jammu and Kashmir, the new UT of Ladakh lacks its own legislative assembly. Initially, the UT status was welcomed by many, including Sonam Wangchuk, but discontent soon arose regarding the perceived political void under the authority of the Lieutenant Governor overseeing the administration. Although a high-level committee was formed to address Ladakh’s demands, no significant progress has been reported.
What transpired on September 24? The protest for statehood in Leh, Ladakh, turned violent with incidents of arson and street clashes. Four individuals lost their lives, and at least 59 others were injured, including 22 police officers. Youth groups set fire to the BJP headquarters in Leh and the Hill Council, targeting key buildings. Vehicles were also torched across various areas as protesters rampaged through the streets.
