A Year After Ladakh Protests, Sonam Wangchuk To Lead 20-Km March On September 23

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will lead a symbolic 20-km march in Ladakh on September 23 to renew demands for constitutional safeguards for the region, including statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The march comes a year after four people were killed in police firing during protests over these demands. Wangchuk’s office said on Sunday that a “Martyr’s Day” event will be held the following day, September 24, to mark the first anniversary of the civilian deaths.

Ladakh’s leaders have also demanded adequate compensation for the families of those killed and withdrawal of cases registered in connection with the protests.

Wangchuk Threatens Fresh Agitation

Wangchuk and other Ladakh leaders had last week threatened a fresh agitation from September 19 to 24 after talks with Union Home Ministry officials in Delhi failed to produce a breakthrough. The proposed agitation was later called off, with organisers citing weather conditions.

The Ladakh administration has announced compensation of ₹15 lakh each for the families of the four people killed and ₹3 lakh for those injured.

Wangchuk, however, said he was dissatisfied with the compensation.

“Looking at this compensation, I do not feel happy. Rather, my head is down with shame,” he said last week.

The 59-year-old activist had earlier spent six months in detention under the National Security Act (NSA) over allegations that he incited violence in Ladakh.

Wangchuk’s Detention And Release

Wangchuk was detained on September 26, two days after protests over Ladakh’s statehood demands turned violent. Authorities accused him of misleading people by making provocative references to Arab Spring-style protests.

His detention was revoked in March with “immediate effect”, with the government citing the need to facilitate “constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders”.

His release came shortly before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention under the 1980 law, which permits preventive detention for up to 12 months without trial.

The Central Bureau of Investigation also initiated a preliminary inquiry into an institute founded by Wangchuk.

What Are Ladakh Leaders Demanding?

Ladakh was made a Union territory without a legislative assembly in August 2019 after the Centre revoked the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

Since then, Ladakh leaders have been seeking statehood and constitutional safeguards, including protection for the region’s tribal communities, culture and land.

In 2023, the Union Home Ministry constituted a committee headed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to examine measures to protect Ladakh’s culture, language and strategic interests.

Separately, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena approved a Revenue Department notification establishing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils across all seven districts.

Talks With Centre Remain Deadlocked

Ladakh leaders have held four rounds of discussions with the Union Home Ministry but have expressed frustration over the lack of progress.

On September 10, leaders said in Delhi that the ministry had yet to present a draft proposal on constitutional safeguards and an elected governance model for Ladakh.

The government has indicated that such a draft could be ready by October.