September 30, 2025
by seo june
A political crisis has deepened in the Himalayan region of Ladakh as its two main representative organizations have suspended dialogue with the Indian government. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced a boycott of scheduled talks, demanding the release of detained activist Sonam Wangchuk and a judicial inquiry into recent violent clashes .
Both groups have statehood for Ladakh and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule at the core of their demands related to the Union Territory.
The dialogue, which was intended to address long-standing demands for statehood and constitutional protections, has been put on hold indefinitely until the central government addresses the current “atmosphere of fear and anger” in the region .
🔗 Key Demands for Resuming Talks
The LAB and KDA have presented a unified front, outlining several non-negotiable conditions that must be met before they will return to the negotiating table.
· Release of Detainees: The unconditional release of prominent climate activist and campaigner Sonam Wangchuk, who was arrested under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), is a primary demand. The groups also seek the release of other youth leaders detained after the protests .
· Judicial Probe: They have called for an impartial judicial inquiry, potentially led by a Supreme Court judge, into the September 24 police firing in Leh that resulted in four deaths and dozens of injuries .
· End to “Anti-National” Allegations: The groups demand an apology for what they term a “negative campaign” by the government and sections of the media that have labeled Ladakhi protestors as “anti-national” and accused them of colluding with foreign elements .
· Restoration of Normalcy: The LAB stated that talks cannot be held “at gunpoint” and will remain cancelled until peace and a conducive atmosphere are restored in Ladakh .
💡 Underlying Grievances and the Flashpoint
The broader agitation in Ladakh stems from feelings of political disenfranchisement following the region’s reorganization in 2019. When the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked, Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory without a legislative assembly . While initially welcomed by some, this move has since sparked protests as residents fear the loss of democratic autonomy, safeguards for their tribal identity, and control over land and resources .
The recent protests were part of a long-running peaceful movement led by activists like Sonam Wangchuk, who is also known for being the inspiration for a character in the Bollywood film “3 Idiots” . Tensions escalated dramatically on September 24, when a shutdown in Leh turned violent. Clashes between protesters and security forces led to four fatalities, including a retired soldier, and injuries to dozens more . The subsequent arrest of Wangchuk under the NSA further inflamed public sentiment .
🤝 Government Response and Stalled Dialogue
In response to the boycott, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a statement reaffirming its openness to dialogue “at any time” . The ministry highlighted the work of a high-powered committee, pointing to achievements such as increased reservations for Scheduled Tribes, women’s reservation in hill councils, and the commencement of recruitment for 1,800 government posts .
However, these assurances have failed to convince the Ladakhi leaders. They contend that the government’s engagement has only ever occurred after sustained public protests and that the core issues of statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution—which provides autonomy to tribal areas—remain unaddressed .
📢 Looking Ahead
With the LAB and KDA standing firm, the scheduled informal talks on September 30 and the structured discussions on October 6 have been effectively scuttled . KDA leader Sajjad Kargili warned that the government’s handling of the situation is “alienating” the people of Ladakh and predicted that the movement, which was once confined to the region, would now see a surge in support across the country .
The situation presents a significant challenge for the Indian government in a sensitive border region. The path forward for negotiations now appears contingent on the government’s willingness to meet the preconditions set by Ladakh’s unified leadership.
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