Year after Ladakh protests, Sonam Wangchuk to lead march as political climate warms

Polity & Governance · 19 September 2026 · Based on Indian Express (original report)

2-minute summary

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is set to lead a symbolic 20-km march in Leh on September 23, marking the first anniversary of the September 24 civilian killings during protests in Ladakh. Last year, four protesters were killed and 44 injured in police firing when demonstrations demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory turned violent. Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike at the time, was subsequently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for six months. Ahead of the anniversary, the Ladakh administration announced a compensation package of Rs 1.52 crore for the families of the deceased and the injured, meeting a key demand of local representative groups. The movement underscores the ongoing socio-political tension in Ladakh regarding ecological conservation, local democratic representation, and constitutional safeguards.

Why it's in the news

Sonam Wangchuk is resuming public mobilisations with a symbolic march in Leh to commemorate the anniversary of the 2025 protest casualties. This coincides with the Ladakh administration's decision to grant financial compensation to the victims' families, signaling a shift in the regional political landscape.

Facts to remember

• Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is set to lead a symbolic 20-km march in Leh on September 23 to mark the first anniversary of the September 24 civilian killings.
• During last year's protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status, four protesters were killed and 44 injured in police firing.
• Following the protests, Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for six months.
• The Ladakh administration announced a compensation package of Rs 1.52 crore for the families of the deceased and the injured.

Background and context

Following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated, and Ladakh was established as a Union Territory without a legislature. While initially celebrated in Leh, the local population soon grew concerned over the loss of political representation, bureaucratic dominance, and the vulnerability of their fragile Himalayan ecosystem to outside commercial exploitation. This led to an unprecedented alliance between the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Together, they formulated a four-point agenda: full statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, reservation of jobs for locals, and separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 244(2) — Provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram under the Sixth Schedule, which Ladakh seeks extension of.
• Article 3 — Empowers Parliament to form new states and alter the areas, boundaries, or names of existing states, relevant to Ladakh's demand for statehood.
• Article 239A — Allows Parliament to create a legislature or Council of Ministers for certain Union Territories, which could be applied to Ladakh.

Committees and reports

• High-Level Committee on Ladakh (Ministry of Home Affairs) — Constituted under the Minister of State for Home Affairs to discuss measures to protect Ladakh's unique language, culture, land, and employment opportunities.

Mains practice: Examine the constitutional viability and ecological significance of granting Sixth Schedule status to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The demand for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution has intensified post-2019, driven by fears of ecological degradation and demographic dilution. Currently administered as a Union Territory without a legislature, Ladakh seeks local self-governance to protect its fragile Himalayan ecosystem and tribal identity.

• **Constitutional Viability**: The Sixth Schedule (under Article 244) provides for Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative, judicial, and executive powers over land, forests, water, and local customs. Over 97% of Ladakh's population is tribal (predominantly Scheduled Tribes like Balti, Beda, Bot, Changpa). While the Schedule was historically designed for the North-East, constitutional experts suggest it can be extended via a constitutional amendment or executive order, similar to how tribal areas are managed.

• **Ecological Significance**: Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert with a highly fragile ecosystem sensitive to climate change and unregulated industrialization. Granting Sixth Schedule powers to ADCs would allow local communities to regulate land use, prevent unsustainable mining, and control commercial tourism, ensuring sustainable development aligned with indigenous practices.

• **Governance Challenges**: The current bureaucratic setup lacks direct democratic accountability. ADCs under the Sixth Schedule would bridge this gap, ensuring that local resources are managed by local representatives rather than centralized administrative authorities.

In conclusion, granting constitutional safeguards to Ladakh is not merely a political concession but an ecological and strategic necessity. Balancing national security, development, and local aspirations through democratic decentralization is vital for the long-term stability of this sensitive border region.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Which of the following states are currently covered under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

1. Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura
2. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram
3. Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram
4. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura

Answer: B. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (often remembered by the acronym AMTM).

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) under the Sixth Schedule: 1. ADCs have the power to make laws on land, forest management, and inheritance of property. 2. The laws made by ADCs do not require the assent of the Governor of the state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct: ADCs have legislative powers over subjects like land, forest, canal water, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance of property, marriage, and social customs. Statement 2 is incorrect: All laws made by the ADCs require the assent of the Governor of the respective state.

Q3. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas dealt with?

1. Article 243
2. Article 370
3. Article 356
4. Article 244

Answer: D. Article 244 in Part X of the Constitution of India envisages a special system of administration for certain areas designated as 'scheduled areas' and 'tribal areas'.

Revision flashcards

• What is the primary administrative demand of the Ladakh protests led by Sonam Wangchuk? Inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and the granting of full statehood.
• Which states are currently protected under the Sixth Schedule (as of September 2026)? Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (AMTM).
• What constitutional body is created under the Sixth Schedule to exercise legislative and judicial powers? Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils.
• What percentage of Ladakh's population belongs to Scheduled Tribes (STs)? Approximately 97%, making it a strong candidate for tribal area protections.
• Under which Article can Parliament create a legislature for a Union Territory (like Puducherry)? Article 239A.