In a dramatic escalation of unrest in Ladakh, youth protesters set fire to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh today, marking one of the most violent episodes in the region since its 2019 separation from Jammu and Kashmir. The protests, originally rooted in demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards, spiraled into chaos as clashes with police left the Union Territory on edge.
The incident began during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), a civil society coalition pressing the Centre for urgent talks. Thousands of residents poured into the streets, targeting the BJP office as a symbol of the ruling party’s unfulfilled promises. Protesters pelted stones at security personnel and the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) building, prompting police to respond with tear gas and baton charges.
Amid the turmoil, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle was set ablaze before flames engulfed the two-story BJP office. Eyewitnesses described thick black smoke rising over Leh’s skyline, an unprecedented sight in the otherwise calm Buddhist-majority town. Videos circulated widely on social media showed protesters chanting “Save Ladakh” and “Statehood Now” as the building burned. Authorities imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting assembly, and deployed additional CRPF forces to restore order. No casualties have been reported so far.
Prominent climate activist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a 15-day hunger strike, condemned the violence. In a post on Instagram, he said, “My message of peaceful protest failed today. I appeal to the youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause.” Wangchuk announced that he would end his fast, calling the unrest a setback for the non-violent movement he has championed.
The roots of Ladakh’s agitation stretch back to August 2019, when the abrogation of Article 370 reorganized Jammu and Kashmir and carved Ladakh into a separate Union Territory without a legislature. While residents of Leh initially welcomed the move, viewing it as liberation from Kashmiri dominance, six years later, promises made by the Centre remain unfulfilled.
BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, had pledged statehood, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, job and land protections for locals, and environmental safeguards. Yet, Ladakh continues under central rule without a legislature. Outsiders now reportedly hold 60 percent of local jobs, and concerns over land grabs have intensified. No reservations for locals have been enacted, and large-scale projects such as solar farms have been approved without the consent of tribal communities, sparking eco-protests.
The LAB, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing Shia Muslim-majority Kargil, has spearheaded protests since 2020, boycotting elections and organizing hunger strikes. The latest wave intensified in August 2025 with Wangchuk’s shorter fast, followed by a collective 35-day hunger strike by LAB members starting on September 10. On Tuesday, two strikers were hospitalized due to deteriorating health, leading to today’s shutdown call.
What makes the current phase distinct is the heavy involvement of Ladakh’s youth. Gen Z demonstrators, many in their teens and 20s, dominated the streets, fueled by high unemployment rates that hover around 40 percent. Social media played a significant role, with viral videos and posts amplifying the movement. The hashtag #SaveLadakh trended with over 50,000 mentions. While many expressed solidarity, others criticized Wangchuk for allegedly stoking unrest.
Youth voices underscored the frustration. “We voted for BJP in 2019 for promises of jobs and protection. Now, outsiders take our opportunities while our rivers and mountains are sold off,” one protester told PTI. The movement’s youth-driven nature echoes regional uprisings elsewhere, such as Nepal’s corruption protests earlier this year, though Ladakh’s demands focus on constitutional rights rather than regime change.
The fallout has already impacted cultural life in the region. The UT administration postponed the Ladakh Festival, a major annual event, citing unavoidable circumstances. Meanwhile, a fresh round of talks between the Centre’s High-Powered Committee and representatives from LAB and KDA is scheduled for October 6 in New Delhi. Protesters, however, have dismissed this as a delay tactic, insisting on immediate action.
Reactions have been sharply divided. National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq described the violence as “unfortunate” but blamed the Centre’s mishandling of Ladakh’s grievances. Opposition leaders have echoed these concerns. On the other hand, BJP leaders in Leh denounced the arson as “anti-national” and suggested the possibility of “external instigation.”
As dusk fell over Leh, the acrid smoke from the torched BJP office and security vehicle lingered in the air. The timing of this escalation is especially significant, with elections for the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council approaching. Ladakh, located on a sensitive border with China and Pakistan, now stands at a crossroads. The days ahead will determine whether dialogue prevails or division deepens further.
For now, the youth-led protests have pushed Ladakh’s struggle for statehood and autonomy back into the national spotlight. Sonam Wangchuk’s plea for peace remains a reminder of the fragile balance between agitation and non-violence in the fight for Ladakh’s future.
