Ladakh Violence Sparks Alarm in Kashmir, Omar Abdullah & Mehbooba Warn of Crisis
By: Javid Amin | 25 September 2025
Flashpoint in Leh
Ladakh, long known for its relative calm, is now witnessing one of its most violent protests in recent memory. Demonstrators demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards clashed with security forces in Leh, setting police vehicles and a BJP office ablaze.
-
Casualties: Four people killed.
-
Injuries: At least 59, including 40 police personnel.
-
Shift in Mood: A movement once marked by peaceful marches has escalated into fiery street battles.
Voices from Kashmir: A Warning to Delhi
The unrest in Leh has reverberated across Jammu & Kashmir, where political leaders see it as a cautionary tale for Delhi.
Omar Abdullah (NC)
“Ladakh wasn’t even promised statehood. They celebrated UT status in 2019. Now they feel betrayed and angry. Imagine how we in J&K feel when our promised statehood remains unfulfilled despite peaceful demands.”
Mehbooba Mufti (PDP)
“This video isn’t from Kashmir Valley—it’s from Leh. People feel insecure, let down, and betrayed. The Centre must move beyond day-to-day crisis management.”
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi (NC MP)
Called the unrest a “defeat of democratic values,” warning the government that ignoring voices of dissent can only push people toward desperation.
Broader Implications
-
Mirror to Kashmir: Ladakh’s anger is being compared to Kashmir’s own frustrations after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
-
Crisis of Trust: Both regions now cite broken promises—Ladakh over safeguards, Kashmir over statehood.
-
Democratic Deficit: Leaders warn that silencing elected representatives and ignoring grassroots demands risks fueling unrest across the Union Territory.
Why It Matters
The Leh protests mark a turning point. If Ladakh—once portrayed as a model of acceptance post-2019—is now on fire, it underscores a deeper political failure.
For Kashmir’s leaders, the message is clear: unmet promises and ad-hoc governance cannot substitute for democratic restoration.
