Violence erupted in Leh, Ladakh on September 24 as protesters set fire to the BJP office and a CRPF van, leaving at least four dead and over 70 injured. Curfew was imposed in Leh, the largest town and administrative hub of the Union Territory.
The protests, initially peaceful for two weeks, escalated into violence after years of local frustration over political representation and unemployment. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who led the demonstrations with a hunger strike, condemned the violence, calling it an “outburst of the young generation.” He referred to the protests as a “Gen Z revolution,” drawing parallels to recent youth-led movements in Nepal.
The Union government, however, held Wangchuk responsible, accusing him of misleading people with references to Arab Spring-style protests and Nepal’s Gen Z demonstrations. Wangchuk countered, blaming the violence on BJP’s unfulfilled promises since 2020 and chronic unemployment among local youth.
The roots of the unrest trace back to 2019 when Ladakh became a Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370. Unlike Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh lacks an assembly, placing it under direct central rule. This political vacuum has fueled discontent, especially among the youth demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule tribal protections.
The Apex Body of Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance, a joint platform of Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil, has long campaigned for these constitutional safeguards. The Home Ministry reported that mobs destroyed public property and attacked security personnel, forcing police to open fire to regain control. The curfew remained in place as authorities sought to stabilize the situation.
The Leh violence underscores the deep political and social frustrations simmering in Ladakh. As statehood and tribal status remain unresolved, the region’s youth are increasingly taking to the streets to demand representation, accountability, and recognition from the central government.