Political and social groups in Ladakh have announced that they will proceed with a shutdown and protests on Monday to press their long-standing demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. The demonstrations are expected to take place across the region, particularly in Leh and Kargil, where political and civil society groups have mobilised support for the agitation.

The protest plans come despite the Centre’s recent decision to revoke the National Security Act against climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, who had been detained since September last year. Wangchuk emerged as one of the most prominent voices supporting Ladakh’s political demands in recent months. While leaders welcomed the revocation of the preventive detention order and his release, they maintained that the broader movement for statehood and constitutional protections would continue.

Representatives of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance said the agitation had been paused for about six months but would now resume with renewed focus on achieving constitutional safeguards for the region. They emphasized that the shutdown would serve as a peaceful expression of public sentiment and a reminder to the central government that the demands of Ladakh’s residents remain unresolved.

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The last major round of protests in the region, held in September, escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. During those confrontations, four people were killed when security personnel opened fire, further intensifying tensions in the Union Territory. The memory of that incident continues to shape the current protests, with leaders stressing the importance of maintaining peaceful demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs reiterated over the weekend that it remains committed to addressing Ladakh’s concerns through dialogue. In a statement issued while revoking the NSA against Wangchuk, the ministry said the government hopes the region’s issues can be resolved through constructive engagement, including discussions within a high-powered committee set up to examine the demands.

Ladakh became a separate Union Territory in August 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. While the move initially received support in parts of the region, particularly in Leh, concerns soon emerged over what residents described as a political vacuum under the lieutenant governor’s administration. This discontent eventually brought together political and religious groups from both Leh and Kargil to form a joint front, demanding greater political autonomy and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.

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