Leh/Kargil, Mar 17: Hundreds of people participated in a rally in Leh on Monday while a shutdown was observed in Kargil in support of demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India to Ladakh.
The call for the protest was given jointly by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
It was the first major rally organised by LAB since violence broke out during protests in September last year and comes two days after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released by the Centre after nearly six months of detention under the National Security Act.
The rally began at Singay Namgyal Chowk and proceeded to the Leh Polo Ground, led by LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay.
Participants, including many women, marched while raising slogans demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. Some protesters also carried pictures of four people who were killed during firing after a protest rally turned violent in September last year.
Security arrangements were tightened across Leh, with additional personnel deployed. Mukesh Singh, Director General of Police, visited the rally site to review the security measures.
Meanwhile, Kargil and nearby Drass observed a complete shutdown in response to the joint call by LAB and KDA, the groups that have been spearheading the agitation for the past five years. Officials said the protest remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported.
Speaking to reporters, Chering Dorjay thanked residents for turning out in large numbers despite restrictions and barricading imposed by the administration.
“Today, the people of Ladakh have demonstrated that the public stands with the Apex Body and the KDA,” he said, calling the rally a major success.
Addressing the gathering, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalie said the ongoing agitation was aimed at protecting Ladakh’s land, identity and the future of its coming generations. He recalled the role of the late KDA chairman Qamar Ali Akhoon and said the movement would continue until the demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards are fulfilled.
Karbalie warned that Ladakh’s unique cultural and demographic identity could be altered if constitutional protections were not granted. He said the people of Ladakh had repeatedly conveyed their aspirations to the Centre through written submissions, meetings and public campaigns.
Referring to recent remarks by officials, Karbalie also criticised attempts to “intimidate” protesters and urged authorities to engage with the people respectfully. He said Ladakhis have always stood at the forefront in defending the nation—from the wars of 1948 and 1999 to the Galwan conflict of 2020—and therefore should not be threatened.
He maintained that the people of Ladakh were not opposed to dialogue and remained ready for talks with the government, but said the administration should not force people into agitation by ignoring their demands.
Karbalie also welcomed the release of Sonam Wangchuk, describing it as a step forward, but said it was incomplete until all protesters facing cases related to last year’s agitation were released and the charges withdrawn.
Calling for unity among all regions and communities of Ladakh, he said attempts to divide people along religious or regional lines would not succeed.
“We do not want strikes, shutdowns or agitation, but we are being compelled to protest. Until our demands are fulfilled, the people of Ladakh will not remain silent,” Karbalie said.
Wangchuk, one of the prominent faces of the movement, had been detained under the National Security Act in September for allegedly instigating violence during the protests.
