Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is set to lead a symbolic 20-km march in Ladakh on September 23, nearly a year after four people were killed during protests over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.
Wangchuk’s office said a “martyr’s day event” will be held the following day, September 24, to mark the first anniversary of the deaths. The planned events come amid continuing discussions between Ladakh representatives and the Centre over constitutional safeguards and an elected governance framework.
March planned after longer agitation was called off
The 20-km march is a scaled-down version of a longer protest plan that had been proposed earlier. Ladakh leaders had announced an agitation from September 19 to 24 following talks with Union Home Ministry officials that did not result in a breakthrough.
The protest programme was subsequently called off, with weather conditions cited as a reason. Instead, Wangchuk announced the symbolic march in Leh on September 23, followed by the September 24 event.
What are Ladakh leaders demanding?
Ladakh-based groups have been seeking constitutional safeguards, greater political representation and protection for the region’s land, culture and employment interests.
One of their key demands has been the extension of protections under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, which provides special arrangements for governance of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Recent discussions have also focused on a possible constitutional provision under Article 371 and the creation of an elected Union Territory-level governance structure. The Indian Express reported that the Centre has proposed a new Article 371K as part of the discussions.
September 2025 protests and four deaths
The September 23 march comes ahead of the first anniversary of the violence that followed protests in Ladakh in September 2025.
Four people were killed in police firing on September 24, 2025, during protests linked to demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards. Wangchuk was subsequently detained under the National Security Act and spent nearly six months in detention before his release in March 2026.
The Centre had accused Wangchuk of contributing to the escalation through provocative remarks. Wangchuk has maintained that his movement’s approach should remain peaceful. These remain contested accounts of the events and should be distinguished from the documented fact of the deaths and subsequent detention.
Compensation remains an issue
The Ladakh administration announced compensation of Rs 15 lakh each for the families of the four people killed and compensation for those injured.
Wangchuk has criticised the amount, saying he was dissatisfied with the compensation announced for the victims’ families. Ladakh leaders have also been seeking the withdrawal of cases related to the protests.
Centre-Ladakh talks continue
The planned march comes as talks between Ladakh representatives and the Centre continue.
Recent reports indicate that the discussions have moved towards a possible constitutional safeguard under Article 371 and an elected governance model for the Union Territory. The precise powers and structure of any proposed arrangement remain part of the ongoing discussions.
The September 23 march and September 24 martyrs’ day event are therefore expected to bring renewed attention to Ladakh’s long-running demands for political representation and constitutional protection.
