Looking Ahead 2026: After a turbulent year, Ladakh awaits fresh talks on statehood, Sixth Schedule

After a turbulent year marked by deadly protests, leaders and residents of Ladakh are entering 2026 with renewed hope that their long-pending demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule will finally be addressed through dialogue with the Centre.

In 2025, at least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured during protests in Ladakh over demands seeking statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. The violence followed a prolonged hunger strike by noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who fasted for 35 days to press for these demands.

In September last year, clashes erupted during protests linked to the hunger strike. Police subsequently detained Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly inciting violence and shifted him to Jodhpur jail, where he remains lodged. His detention sparked widespread anger across Ladakh, with residents and political leaders criticising the Centre and Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta for allegedly mishandling the situation.

Amid the unrest, subcommittee-level talks were held in October between representatives of the Union Home Ministry and Ladakh’s leadership. Following the meeting, Ladakh leaders submitted a draft proposal outlining their key demands, including full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

While a fresh round of talks is yet to be scheduled, Ladakh leaders say they are hopeful that 2026 will bring a resolution.

“2025 was a very unfortunate year for Ladakh. We saw four people losing their lives and nearly 100 injured during protests. There was an attempt to suppress the voice of the people, and it was a very difficult period for Ladakh,” said Sajjad Kargili, a leader of the Kargil Democratic Alliance, one of the two major Ladakh groups engaged in talks with the Centre.

“Now, as we enter a new year, we expect that the voices of the people will be heard and their demands met. We have strong faith in Indian democracy, but the trust deficit is growing,” he added.

Kargili said the Union Territory model had failed to address the aspirations of the region’s people. “We are hopeful that the government will fulfil its promises, especially regarding statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. The idea of a Union Territory has failed to address the concerns of the people of Ladakh,” he said.

Dr Ishey Namgyal, general secretary of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, echoed similar sentiments. “People are demanding statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. We are hopeful that these demands will be met and that the talks will reach a logical conclusion,” he said.

However, the delay in resuming talks has created uncertainty on the ground. “There has been an unexplained delay in holding a fresh round of talks. The Home Ministry should convene the next meeting at the earliest to clear the uncertainty,” said Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan.