Ladakh Protests 2025 – Demands, Statehood, and Autonomy
Youth-led protests in Ladakh demand statehood, Sixth Schedule status, and job safeguards. Learn about government response, triggers, and constitutional options.
Context
In September 2025, Leh witnessed violent youth-led protests over statehood and constitutional safeguards, resulting in four deaths and dozens of injuries. The incident underscores Ladakh’s long-standing concerns about autonomy, representation, and local rights, which remain unresolved since its reorganisation into a Union Territory in 2019.
What Are the Major Demands of Ladakh?
The protests are driven by four consistent demands raised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing the Buddhist-majority Leh and the Muslim-majority Kargil respectively.
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Full Statehood
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A separate state to ensure local governance and representation, rather than direct Central control.
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Sixth Schedule Protections
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Inclusion under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, granting extensive autonomy over land, resources, and governance to tribal communities.
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Separate Parliamentary Representation
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Distinct Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, to reflect the region’s diversity and unique challenges.
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Local Job and Land Safeguards
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Reservation of 95% of jobs for locals, including Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
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Strict domicile-based criteria to prevent outsiders from acquiring land.
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These demands are deeply rooted in Ladakh’s history of marginalisation. While Leh and Kargil traditionally managed local affairs with little political friction, the Union Territory status stripped them of legislative representation and heightened anxieties about culture, ecology, and livelihoods.
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) was established in 1995 under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1995.
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Statutory, Not Constitutional: While inspired by the Sixth Schedule, LAHDC is not constitutionally enshrined.
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Functions: Oversees education, health, infrastructure, and local governance in Leh and Kargil.
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Representation: Includes 33% reservation for women.
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Limitations: Its powers remain delegated by Parliament, limiting genuine autonomy.
For many Ladakhis, LAHDC is inadequate to protect their rights against external pressures, hence the renewed demand for Sixth Schedule inclusion.
Government Response to the Demands
In May 2025, the Central government announced partial concessions following negotiations:
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Job Reservations: 95% for locals, including STs and EWS.
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Women’s Representation: 33% in Hill Development Councils.
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Language Recognition: Official recognition of Bhoti, Purgi, Balti, and Shina.
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Domicile Protection: Stronger criteria for local land and job ownership.
However, demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion were deferred. The government cited constitutional limitations and strategic concerns, given Ladakh’s sensitive borders with China and Pakistan.
Triggers Behind the Recent Violence
The violent escalation in September 2025 stemmed from multiple factors:
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Stalled Negotiations: Talks broke down after May 2025, leaving statehood and Sixth Schedule demands unaddressed.
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Protest Escalation: Two elderly protesters on hunger strike with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk were hospitalised, sparking outrage.
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Youth Mobilisation: The “Gen Z revolution” gained momentum, leading to mass rallies.
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Escalation to Violence: Demonstrations turned violent, prompting curfews and prohibitory orders across Leh and Kargil.
This marks a significant turning point in Ladakh’s political trajectory, shifting from peaceful advocacy to confrontational protest.
Constitutional Pathways for Accommodation
Several provisions within India’s constitutional framework could address Ladakh’s demands:
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Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2), 275(1)): Grants autonomy to tribal areas over land, resources, and governance. Its extension to Ladakh would safeguard its fragile ecosystem and indigenous identity.
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Article 371(J): Used in Karnataka, it provides special provisions for local development. A similar tailored arrangement could empower Ladakh.
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Reservation Policies (Articles 16, 330, 332): Protect employment and political representation for disadvantaged groups and could be adapted to Ladakh’s context.
Given Ladakh’s small population, ecological fragility, and border sensitivities, any adaptation must balance local empowerment with national security.
Way Forward
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Dialogue and Inclusion: Engage not just LAB and KDA, but also youth, women, and remote communities to ensure equitable representation.
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Strengthening LAHDC: Grant greater financial and administrative autonomy while retaining strategic oversight.
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Livelihood Protection: Safeguard traditional economies such as Pashmina wool and promote sustainable tourism.
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Ecology and Security Balance: Any settlement must consider Ladakh’s fragile environment and strategic importance as India’s northern frontier.
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Incremental Autonomy: Phased reforms could build trust while preserving constitutional integrity and security concerns.
Conclusion
The Ladakh protests of 2025 highlight a fundamental tension between local aspirations for autonomy and the Centre’s emphasis on strategic control. While partial concessions have been made, the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections remains central. Lasting peace and stability in Ladakh will depend on inclusive dialogue, constitutional innovation, and trust-building. If managed carefully, Ladakh could become a model for balancing local empowerment, ecological sustainability, and national security.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
