Wangchuk gives govt 2 October deadline:Activist claims necessary steps not taken on Ladakh issue, no progress on Sixth Schedule either; threatens protest

Sonam Wangchuk has set 2 October as the deadline for the demand to grant statehood to Ladakh and include it in the Sixth Schedule. Speaking to the media in Delhi, he said there had been very little progress in the matter. Wangchuk made the statement on the completion of one year since he was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) following the violence in Leh on 24 September last year. Four people were killed during police action in the violence. He said that if the government did not take a decision by 2 October, they would have to resort to peaceful demonstrations and protests. Probe and accountability: 2 key questions 1. Questions over probe: Sonam Wangchuk asked what happened to the commission’s report on the Ladakh violence. He also asked when officials, the Lieutenant Governor and the Union Home Minister would answer for the orders behind the actions. 2. Policies being made without consultation: Wangchuk alleged that policy decisions are being taken without consulting local people. He questioned what would remain of the democratic framework if decisions on land, industrial policy, tourism and local governance are already being finalised. Home Ministry meeting On 9 September, Ladakh’s sub-committee met the Union Home Ministry, with leaders of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance attending. According to Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, both sides discussed special provisions under Article 371 to protect local interests. Why locals want the Sixth Schedule? Local groups are demanding the Sixth Schedule to protect Ladakh’s 97%+ tribal population, culture, language and environment. It would allow autonomous councils to make rules on: 1. Land: Restricting land purchases by outsiders.
2. Culture: Making rules on marriage, inheritance and local customs.
3. Local administration: Taking decisions on development and resources. Violence during September 2025 protests Sonam Wangchuk led a protest in September 2025 demanding statehood for Ladakh. Violence broke out in Leh on 24 September, leaving 4 people dead and 90 injured. Two days later, Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and shifted to Jodhpur. He was released on 14 March, after spending around 170 days in Jodhpur jail. Wangchuk was born in Ladakh, studied mechanical engineering in Srinagar Sonam Wangchuk was born in 1966 near Alchi in Ladakh’s Leh district. As his village had no school, he did not attend one until he was 9 years old. His mother taught him basic lessons during this time. At 9, he was sent to Srinagar, where he joined a school. He later studied at a Central School in Delhi and completed a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Srinagar.