Chciago – September 25, 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government faces sharp criticism following violent protests in Ladakh over demands for full statehood and constitutional protections.
The Modi administration, which downgraded Ladakh to a Union Territory directly controlled from New Delhi in 2019, has resisted calls for statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule that would guarantee local autonomy and tribal safeguards.
Tensions boiled over as youth-led protests turned deadly, with at least four killed and many injured after clashes with security forces in Leh.
Protesters accused the BJP government of trampling democratic rights and ignoring years of peaceful appeals for greater self-governance, job reservations, and land rights. Activist Sonam Wangchuk and local communities say statehood is essential to protect their cultural identity and respond to economic marginalization under the current regime.
The government’s hardline approach, including labeling protesters as instigators and imposing curfews, has only fueled anger in the region.
Critics argue Modi’s BJP has dismantled federalism in Ladakh, creating a political vacuum that alienates both Buddhist and Muslim populations, while risking further unrest on this sensitive Himalayan frontier. The ongoing crisis highlights a failure to meaningfully address regional demands and could deepen instability along India’s border areas.
