Ladakh protest Highlights: 4 dead; stir not led by Gen Z but by Congress, claims BJP

Live updates on the Ladakh protests have been moved here

Ladakh protest live updates: The Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing gave the call for protest after two of the 15 people on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10 had to be shifted to the hospital on Tuesday evening due to deteriorating health conditions.

The hunger strike was aimed at pressing the Centre to resume dialogue on their four-point charter of demands, including statehood, extension of the Sixth Schedule, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and reservation in employment.

In response to the protest call, Leh town observed a complete shutdown on Wednesday as large crowds gathered at the NDS Memorial Ground before marching through the streets, raising slogans in support of the Sixth Schedule and statehood, PTI news agency reported, citing officials.

The situation escalated when some youth resorted to stone-pelting at the BJP headquarters and the Hill Council office. Police and paramilitary forces, who had been deployed in strength across the town, fired teargas shells to bring the situation under control, the report added. Read more.

Ladakh protest live updates: Police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge after a group of youths allegedly turned violent and pelted stones amid a massive protest and shutdown, said news agency PTI.

The protest was held in support of the demand to advance the proposed talks with the Centre on extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh.

Ladakh protest live updates: BJP MP Sambit Patra alleged that what is happening in Ladakh is the conspiracy of Rahul Gandhi along with George Soros.

"This is Rahul Gandhi's plan with George Soros, since they cannot win through the people, so they are working to break the country. Rahul Gandhi is repeatedly instigating to create a situation in the country similar to what happened in Bangladesh, Nepal, and is currently unfolding in the Philippines," he said.

Ladakh protest live updates: BJP MP Sambit Patra claimed on Wednesday that upon investigation, it was found that the protests in Leh were not led by Gen Z but by the Congress party.

“In Ladakh, attempts were made to portray some protests as being led by Gen Z. However, when investigated, it was discovered that these protests were not led by Gen Z, but by Congress. Congress councillor Stanzing Tsepang is the councillor from the Upper Leh ward. He is the main instigator, and numerous photos have surfaced of him and his workers instigating the violence. He can also be seen marching towards the BJP office with a weapon in his hand. He is instigating the mob and targeting the BJP office...” Sabmit Patra said while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.

“A video of this has also surfaced, and the BJP has also posted it. Councillor Stanzing Tsepang is with Rahul Gandhi (in a photograph)... Congress has nefarious designs,” Patra added.

Ladakh protest live updates: The Constitution's Sixth Schedule, meant for the tribal population of the four northeast states of Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam, makes special provisions in terms of governance, powers of president and the governor, type of local bodies, alternate judicial mechanisms and financial powers exercised through autonomous councils.

Protests were going on in Ladakh to be included into the Sixth Schedule.

Ladakh protest live updates: Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid alleged on Wednesday that there was some “political motive” behind the violence in Leh.

He questioned the timing of the violence and noticed that the Government of India and Ladakh's leadership were scheduled to hold talks on October 6. "The talks were scheduled for October 6, and even proposed for the 25th or 26th, and despite that, the situation became violent today. We should see who benefits from this... Who is the real trigger? Four lives were lost. Dozens of people were injured, and property and vehicles were burned. It is very important to fix the responsibility..." he told news agency ANI.

"It was not a matter of frustration while the talks were going on. The Government of India is willing to talk... It seems there's a political motive behind this," he added.

Ladakh protest live updates: Authorities have imposed a curfew in parts of Leh, the capital of Ladakh, following violent protests. The Centre has deployed additional paramilitary forces to the region and held activist Sonam Wangchuk responsible for inciting the demonstrators.

Ladakh protest live updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said she was surprised that a peace-loving region like Ladakh could erupt into violence, and called on the government to engage with the people there.

"I would have never imagined that the peace loving people of Ladakh would ever choose violence to have their demands heard. It is saddening to read about the protestors taking law into their own hands for their demand for statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.

"GoI (Government of India) needs to engage people in a dialogue rather than turn a blind eye from Manipur to now Ladakh," the Shiv Sena leader said.

Ladakh protest live updates: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the ongoing situation in Ladakh shows that the Centre must move beyond day-to-day crisis management and address the root causes.

She posted on X: "It's time the Government of India undertakes a sincere and thorough appraisal of what has truly changed since 2019. This video isn't from the Kashmir Valley considered the epicentre of unrest but from the heart of Ladakh, where angry protesters have set police vehicles and a BJP office on fire."

Ladakh protest live updates: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the violent protests in Leh should serve as an eye-opener for how the people of J&K feel about the denial of statehood, even though Ladakh had not been promised one.

The movement for statehood in Ladakh turned violent on Wednesday, with clashes, arson, and street protests leaving four dead and at least 45 injured, including 22 police personnel.

Abdullah posted on X: “Ladakh wasn't even promised Statehood, they celebrated UT status in 2019 & they feel betrayed & angry.”

He added: “Now try to imagine how betrayed & disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood to J&K remains unfulfilled even though we have gone about demanding it democratically, peacefully & responsibly.”

Ladakh protest live updates: The CPI(ML) Liberation issued a statement blaming the Centre, saying: “The (Narendra) Modi government is solely responsible for this entire situation, having trampled the Constitution, dismantled federalism and denied the people their democratic rights in order to tighten its authoritarian grip over the region.”

The party pointed to the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir as key reasons for ongoing unrest. “The demand for statehood has been raised consistently by the people of both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Yet, the Modi-led BJP government has turned a blind eye to the democratic aspirations of the people,” it said, reported news agency PTI.

“Besides the democratic aspirations of the people in Ladakh, another matter of grave concern is the protection of Ladakh from corporate plunder of land and resources, as seen in other hilly regions across the country. The first-of-its-kind reduction of a region from the status of a state to a Union Territory has snatched people's right to participate in decision-making and planning processes,” the CPI(ML) said.

The party called on the Centre to “respect the democratic aspirations of the people, immediately engage with people of Ladakh, and ensure statehood along with inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.”

Ladakh protest live updates: Left parties on Wednesday slammed the Centre following violent protests in Leh, with the CPI(M) accusing the BJP of betraying the people of the region.

In a post on X, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby said: “The BJP has yet again betrayed the adivasis and the people of Leh and Tripura. People's anger is reflected on the streets, though attack on party offices is not the solution.”

He added: “We strongly condemn the brutal repression unleashed by the administration against the people of Ladakh, which resulted in the tragic loss of four lives,” reported news agency PTI.

Ladakh protest live updates: The ministry of home affairs (MHA) issued a detailed statement on the ongoing situation in Ladakh, alleging that certain “politically motivated individuals” were attempting to sabotage the dialogue process.

The ministry said: “A hunger strike was started by Sh Sonam Wangchuk on 10-09-2025 stating the demand of 6th schedule and statehood for Ladakh. It is well known that Government of India has been actively engaged with Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance on same issues. Series of meetings were held with them through formal channel of High-Powered Committee as well as Sub-committee and multiple informal meetings with leaders.”

The government claimed its dialogue process in Ladakh had delivered “phenomenal” results by “increasing reservations for Ladakh Scheduled Tribes from 45% to 84%, providing 1/3 women reservations in the (hill) councils and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages.” The MHA also noted that recruitment for 1,800 jobs has been initiated.

“However, certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress made under HPC has been trying to sabotage the dialogue process,” the statement said.

Ladakh protest live updates: The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday said that the situation in Ladakh has been brought under control, with no incidents of violence reported since 4 pm.

In an official statement, the ministry urged people not to circulate old or provocative videos on media and social media platforms. “Barring unfortunate incidents that happened early in the day, the situation in Ladakh is brought under control by 4 pm,” it said.

The statement also underlined that the central government remains committed to the aspirations of the people of Ladakh and will ensure adequate constitutional safeguards.

Congress MP and senior party spokesperson Manish Tewari said that the standoff with China in Ladakh is “not really yet over,” despite multiple disengagements.

Sharing his views on X, Tewari stressed that the situation must be handled with “sensitivity and a forensic examination of why and how a peaceful protest suddenly turned violent.”

He added, “A clinical analysis of the ground situation is imperative, especially identification of the impulses that went in that turned the protest violent and who really are these violent protesters.”

Ladakh protest live updates: Alleging that the mob violence in Ladakh was guided by the "provocative statements" of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the MHA said that he misled the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal.

"In spite of many leaders urging him to call off the hunger strike, he continued with it while “misleading the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal,” the government said. Read More

Ladakh protest live updates: The MHA says that unruly mob attacked the police personnel in which more than 30 police and CRPF personnel were injured.

“The mob continued to destroy the public property and attack the police personnel. In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties are reported,” the MHA said.

Ladakh protest live updates: The Ministry of Home Affairs has blamed Sonam Wangchuk for violent protests in Leh, saying that the activist incited the mob through his provocative statements. The government said that the situation in Leh was brought under control by 4 pm.

“It is clear that the mob was incited by Shri Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements. Incidentally, amidst these violent developments, he broke his fast and left for his village in an ambulance without making serious efforts to control the situation,” the government statement read.

Ladakh protest live updates: Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta has issued an appeal to the people of Ladakh to maintain peace and harmony and not to be misled by elements attempting to disrupt social fabric and public order.

Ladakh protest live updates: Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta said that a probe will be held regarding the involvement of people in the protest, according to ANI.

"A probe will be conducted to determine the involvement of individuals from outside Ladakh in the protest. Who is responsible for the people who have died today? It is those people who incited the protest. Such things cannot be tolerated...I want to ensure peace is maintained in Ladakh," he said.

Ladakh protest live updates: The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains provisions regarding the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. It allows local communities to have a significant say in how these regions are administered.

The protesting youth in Ladakh demand that it fall under the protections of the Sixth Schedule. Read more.

Ladakh protest live updates: Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta said that a curfew has been imposed in violence-hit Leh district to prevent more loss of lives, reports PTI.

Ladakh protest live updates: Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta said that protestors torched a CRPF vehicle and attacked the DG's car with stones.

“If this protest had not been stopped, then these people (protestors) would have ruined the entire city of Leh. A probe will be conducted to determine the involvement of individuals from outside Ladakh in the protest,” Gupta said, according to ANI.

"Who is responsible for the people who have died today? It is those people who incited the protest. Such things cannot be tolerated...I want to ensure peace is maintained in Ladakh..." he adds.

Ladakh protest live updates: Regarding the violent protest in Leh, Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta said that while everyone has a right to protest in a democratic system, it must be done in a peaceful manner.

“For the past two days, attempts have been made to incite people, and the protest held here was compared to those held in Bangladesh and Nepal. This smells of a conspiracy behind the protest,” he said, according to ANI.