Sense of Betrayal Driving Anger in Ladakh: Omar Abdullah
Unrest in Leh exposes deep discontent over unfulfilled promises.
On Wednesday, Leh town in Ladakh became the epicenter of violent protests, with clashes, arson, and chaos leaving four people dead and at least 45 injured, including 22 police personnel. The unrest, sparked by demands for statehood, saw furious demonstrators set police vehicles and a BJP office ablaze, marking a stark departure from the region’s historically peaceful protests. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seized the moment to draw parallels with the simmering discontent in Jammu and Kashmir, where the promise of statehood remains unfulfilled.
In a pointed post on X, Abdullah remarked, “Ladakh wasn’t even promised statehood, they celebrated UT status in 2019 & they feel betrayed & angry.” He underscored the contrast with Jammu and Kashmir, where residents have pursued their demand for statehood through democratic and peaceful means, yet feel equally betrayed by the central government’s inaction. “Imagine how disappointed we in J&K feel,” he added, emphasizing the growing frustration across both regions.
The violence in Leh has sent shockwaves, with former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti warning that the situation reflects a deeper crisis. In her own X post, she noted, “This video isn’t from the Kashmir Valley, considered the epicenter of unrest, but from the heart of Ladakh.” Mufti highlighted the region’s shift from measured protests to violent demonstrations, signaling a loss of patience among Ladakhis who feel “betrayed, insecure, and let down” by unkept promises since the region was declared a Union Territory in 2019.
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Mufti called for urgent action, urging the Government of India to move beyond short-term crisis management and address the root causes of the unrest. “It’s time for a sincere and thorough appraisal of what has truly changed since 2019,” she stated, stressing the need for transparency and meaningful dialogue to restore trust.
The violent scenes in Leh serve as a stark reminder of the growing discontent across Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. With emotions running high and trust eroding, the central government faces mounting pressure to address these grievances and deliver on long-standing promises to prevent further escalation.
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