Rahul Gandhi Slams Centre Over Ladakh Violence, Seeks 6th Schedule:

In the wake of deadly protests in Ladakh, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has strongly criticised the BJP-led central government for its handling of the situation. The unrest in Leh, which erupted on September 24, 2025, during a protest shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), resulted in the death of four civilians in police firing and injuries to several others. The central demand of the protesters is the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which offers constitutional protection to tribal communities and their land, language, and culture. Gandhi, who posted his remarks on social media platform X on Sunday, September 28, wrote, “Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing 4 young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk. Stop the killing. Stop the violence. Stop the intimidation.” He further demanded that the government “Give Ladakh a voice. Give them the 6th Schedule.” Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent face in the movement demanding Statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, was detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). He is currently lodged in Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from rights groups and opposition parties. Wangchuk has long advocated for the ecological and cultural preservation of Ladakh, warning against unsustainable development and unchecked tourism. The recent violence has triggered a state of emergency in Leh, with curfew in place for the fifth straight day. On Saturday, September 27, authorities relaxed the curfew for a brief four-hour window, but the town remains tense and heavily patrolled by security forces. Officials said that Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta is set to chair a high-level security review meeting to assess the ground situation and consider easing restrictions further. The protest was sparked by long-standing demands from the people of Ladakh for autonomy and protection under the Sixth Schedule — a constitutional provision that allows for the creation of autonomous district councils in tribal areas. Ladakh, which was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir and made a Union Territory in 2019, has no legislative assembly, and residents have repeatedly expressed concerns over their diminishing political voice and the threat to their unique cultural and environmental identity. Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have given fresh momentum to the protestors’ demands, adding political weight to what many in Ladakh see as a grassroots movement for justice, dignity, and recognition. With emotions running high and tensions far from resolved, all eyes are now on the central government’s next move — whether it will continue its hardline approach or engage in meaningful dialogue with Ladakhi leaders and civil society.

NEWS