Ladakh, India’s high-altitude desert region, erupted in violence on September 28, 2025. Four protesters were killed in clashes demanding greater political autonomy.
The unrest, centred in Leh, saw crowds torching a police vehicle and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offices. The protests stem from resentment over New Delhi’s direct rule since 2019. This change occurred when Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir, stripping it of its semi-autonomy.
Violence erupts in Ladakh (yes, Ladakh) as protestors storm BJP office. Unprecedented scenes from the region bordering China, which has rarely witnessed a protest of this kind. https://t.co/8xvBQFpOaG pic.twitter.com/i7uERBN0fO
— Vijaita Singh (@vijaita) September 24, 2025Residents fear losing livelihoods, land rights, and cultural identity under central control. Decisions on development are made in Delhi by outsiders, sidelining local councils. “All protections we had in Jammu and Kashmir are gone,” said lawyer Mustafa Haji. The sparsely populated region, home to approximately 300,000 people (half of whom are Muslim, and 40% Buddhist), borders China and Pakistan. This makes it strategically vital for India.
The Apex Body Leh, led by 77-year-old Chering Dorjay, drives the protests. Core demands include:
- Land Rights Protection: Prevent outsiders from buying property.
- Sixth Schedule Autonomy: Establish a local legislature for laws on land use and jobs.
- Cultural Safeguards: Preserve traditions and resources.
Dorjay vowed, “We’ve been used like slaves.” Small victories, such as 85% local job reservations and a freeze on domicile status until 2036, offer limited relief.
🚨🇮🇳 LADAKH ERUPTS ONCE AGAIN 🚨
– Protesters burned Indian CRPF vehicles and demand the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk and revenge of 4 martyrs of Ladakh people who were killed by the BJP Government, and demand freedom of Ladakh from Indian occupation. pic.twitter.com/HFkHxsf3EW
— Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) September 28, 2025Large solar projects and industrial plans threaten grazing lands for pashmina goat herding, vital for thousands. Climate change and military buffer zones, as seen in the 2020 India-China clashes, exacerbate the issue. “The danger to our livelihoods is real,” Dorjay said.
Ladakh’s protests highlight tensions in India’s border regions, with 60% of residents expressing concern about land loss (Local surveys, 2025). The violence, being the first major clash since 2019, puts pressure on New Delhi. They must implement reforms that impact national unity and economic plans.
