Thousands Protest in Ladakh for Statehood and Sixth Schedule Rights After Wangchuk's Release

On March 16, thousands in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil districts held peaceful protests and shutdowns organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), demanding full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The rallies followed the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the National Security Act since September 2025. Protesters called for renewed talks with the Union Home Ministry, job reservations, and separate parliamentary constituencies. Authorities maintained tight security, and no violence was reported during the demonstrations.