Leh BJP Office Arson September 2025

The Union Territory of Ladakh witnessed intense protests in September 2025, culminating in the Leh BJP office arson, which has become a major topic in national news. The unrest marked a continuation of longstanding demands for greater autonomy and constitutional safeguards in the region.

SSC aspirants need to understand the causes, events, and political background of this issue, as it carries significance in current affairs, polity, and regional politics.

Background of Ladakh’s Political Status

In 2019, the Government of India revoked Article 370, removing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. This led to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which split the state into two Union Territories:

• Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature)

• Ladakh (without a legislature)

The direct central rule in Ladakh triggered political discontent, as many locals feel sidelined in decision-making. This discontent has fueled Ladakh unrest and intensified demands for autonomy, which eventually resulted in events like the Leh BJP office arson.

Events of the Leh BJP Office Arson

During the Leh protests in September 2025, demonstrators set fire to a BJP office in Leh, leading to the Leh BJP office arson. Police resorted to teargas and crowd control measures, but clashes resulted in four deaths and around 30 injuries. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) responded by calling for a shutdown in Leh, further intensifying the Ladakh political unrest.

Key points of the incident:

• The Leh BJP office attack caused significant property damage.

• BJP clashes in Leh highlighted growing frustration over administrative decisions since 2019.

• Residents expressed concerns over land rights, industrial projects, and border security.

• Widely reported as the Leh BJP office fire incident, it brought national attention to Ladakh unrest.

Role of Sonam Wangchuk

Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer and innovator from Ladakh, has been a prominent figure in the region’s protests. Known for inspiring a character in the film 3 Idiots, Wangchuk received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for educational reforms in Ladakh.

• He ended a 15-day hunger strike during the unrest, urging peaceful protests.

• Wangchuk has actively campaigned for Sixth Schedule status, petitioning the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry in 2019.

• His advocacy focuses on decentralization and protection of tribal rights.

Understanding Wangchuk’s role is essential for SSC students studying activism, tribal welfare, and regional autonomy movements, especially in the context of the Leh BJP office arson.

Demand for Sixth Schedule Protection

Over 90% of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, who seek inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This would establish Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), providing legislative and administrative powers over:

• Land and forests

• Water and agriculture

• Health and policing

Currently, only six northeastern states have ADCs. Ladakh protests demand Sixth Schedule and statehood, and incidents like the Leh BJP office arson have intensified demands for self-governance and protection from industrial exploitation.

History of Protests and Movements

The Ladakh unrest has been ongoing since 2019:

• Student-led movements, supported by local leaders, have consistently voiced concerns over autonomy.

• The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) represent regional interests.

• Early 2024 saw Wangchuk and activists undertake hunger strikes demanding talks and constitutional protections.

• A planned march to the China border was cancelled due to restrictions.

All these movements culminated in the Leh BJP office arson, highlighting persistent political dissatisfaction and economic grievances in Ladakh.

Current Demands and Political Agenda

The recent Leh BJP office arson has reinforced the following demands from LAB and other stakeholders:

1. Statehood for Ladakh

2. Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule

3. Early recruitment and establishment of a public service commission

4. Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil

SSC aspirants should note that these demands reflect long-term frustration over lost autonomy, economic opportunities, and political recognition, directly linked to incidents like the Leh BJP office arson.

Final Thoughts

In September 2025, Ladakh witnessed major unrest when protesters set fire to a BJP office in Leh, an incident widely known as the Leh BJP office arson. Clashes with police, who used teargas, led to four deaths and around 30 injuries, prompting the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to call for a shutdown.

The unrest stems from Ladakh’s status as a Union Territory without a legislature after the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Locals demand greater autonomy and Sixth Schedule protection to secure tribal rights and self-governance.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended a 15-day hunger strike during the protests, has urged peaceful demonstrations. The Leh BJP office arson highlights the ongoing struggle for political recognition, statehood, and protection of tribal interests in Ladakh.