How Modi Misread Ladakh | Siddiq Wahid on Broken Promises, Repression and a United Civil Society
The current crisis in one of India's most strategic borderlands can impact the way forward.
Security personnel stand guard as mortal remains of 24-year-old Stanzin Namgyal, who was killed in violence during recent protests for Ladakh statehood, are being taken for his last rites amid curfew, in Leh, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. Photo: PTI.
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Ladakh-born political scientist Siddiq Wahid speaks to Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of The Wire, about the current crisis in one of India's most strategic borderlands, its political history and the way forward.
Constitutional changes brought about by the Modi government in August 2019 freed Ladakh from the oversight of Srinagar but failed to empower the region's 300,000 people. Distributed almost equally between the two administrative regions of Leh and Kargil, the Ladakhis have been demanding 'Sixth Schedule' status and statehood. But New Delhi is unwilling to do accept this.
This article went live on October ninth, two thousand twenty five, at eighteen minutes past one in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
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