Rahul Gandhi on Sunday came out strongly in support of Ladakh’s demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, accusing the BJP and RSS of undermining the Union Territory’s people, culture and traditions. His comments follow last week’s violence in Leh in which four people were killed after security forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators. Nearly 80 others were injured and more than 50 detained for alleged rioting.
“Ladakh’s amazing people, culture, and traditions are under attack by the BJP and RSS. Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing 4 young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk,” said Gandhi. “Stop the killing. Stop the violence. Stop the intimidation. Give Ladakh a voice. Give them the 6th Schedule.”
On 24 September, a demonstration led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk escalated after protesters allegedly torched the local BJP office and several vehicles. Police responded with baton charges, leading to clashes. The violence left four people dead and dozens injured.
Authorities later blamed Wangchuk’s “provocative” remarks for fuelling the unrest. The activist was arrested under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and transferred to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.
Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike since 10 September to press for Ladakh’s statehood, Sixth Schedule protections, and greater autonomy. He ended the fast earlier this week, urging his supporters to remain non-violent.
Ladakh’s Director General of Police S. D. Singh Jamwal told reporters that investigators had apprehended a Pakistani intelligence operative who was allegedly in contact with Wangchuk.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also claimed the activist’s references to the Arab Spring and youth-led movements in Nepal had stirred “mob fury” during the protests.
The Union government said dialogue with Ladakhi groups such as the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance was already under way through a High-Powered Committee, sub-committees and informal meetings.
However, in the aftermath of the unrest, the Home Ministry cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act licence of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an institute founded by Wangchuk. Officials cited multiple FCRA violations as the reason for the move.
