When the Mountains Roar

Ladakh's Quest for Statehood, Identity and Survival

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What was once hailed as the land of Lamas and perpetual peace now echoes with the shout of protest. Under its austere beauty is a battle over land, democracy, and survival, one which has set local aspirations against the state's agenda.

A Land Guided by the Buddha, Now Shaken by Protest

Ladakh, for a long time considered a land of peace where monasteries top hills and prayer flags billow across frozen passes, never made the news for political turmoil. This land, chiseled out as an independent Union Territory in 2019 following the revocation of Article 370, was likely to find empowerment in direct rule. The choice once had the promise of visibility and growth, but in practice has made Ladakhis more voiceless than ever. Rather than the peace that is part of Buddhist precepts and taught traditions, Ladakh is today at the center of a firestorm of politics, which is growing by the day.

What Do the Protesters Want?

Two strong demands lie at the heart of the agitation: statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. For Ladakhis, statehood is not merely a political ego boost—it is a question of obtaining a legislative assembly to have representation, accountability, and decision-making authority over their own destiny. The Sixth Schedule demand stems from the anxiety of demographic imbalance and cultural erosion in the region. Its clauses, granting autonomous councils authority over tribal area land and resources, are viewed as a constitutional armor robust enough to safeguard Ladakh's vulnerable identity.