The Union Territory of Ladakh has seen a period of instability and violence in the recent past due to the ongoing struggle for statehood. It may be recalled that at the time of the abrogation of Article 370, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir of which Ladakh was a part, was also made into a Union Territory, under the direct rule of the Centre. It was promised at that time that Ladakh would get an independent statehood and the abrogation of Article 370 therefore struck a chord amongst the people of Ladakh and their leaders. Several years down the lane, there has been no move by the Central Government to keep this `promise’ and there has therefore been a popular movement to realise this dream.
On September 24th, 2025, matters came to a head and there were clashes between security forces and political activists demanding statehood and in the ensuing melee and firing, several persons lost their lives, much larger numbers were injured and public property destroyed.
As this article is being written, the Home Ministry has ordered a judicial probe into the events of that day, see the report in the online edition of The Deccan Herald [1].
The Central Government has been in the business of crushing all political dissent, from the smallest to the biggest, and the only `solution’ they seem to have is one of the carrot and stick and name calling and the use of draconian laws to put away anyone deemed inconvenient. The Indian State has the history of repression and crushing any kind of questioning of its policies or lack thereof. In the present instance, it is nothing short of the crushing of the right to conscience, viz., the belief that Ladakh is deserving of statehood. A discussion of the rights of Union Territories and States is the order of the day. It is the duty of the government and the Home Minister to honour their pledges.
UPHOLD THE RIGHT TO CONSCIENCE!
UPHOLD THE RIGHT TO STATEHOOD!
UPHOLD THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY!
UPHOLD DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS!
OPPOSE ALL DRACONIAN LAWS USED TO CRUSH THE PEOPLE!
By BA and Venkatesh Sundaram
[1] https://www.deccanherald.com/india/ladakh/judicial-inquiry-ordered-into-leh-violence-fulfils-ladakhs-demand-says-chief-secretary-pawan-kotwal-3768516
