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The recent political developments related to Ladakh mark the culmination of nearly seven years of sustained political mobilisation around questions of representation, autonomy, constitutional safeguards and regional empowerment. Although the demand for full-fledged statehood remains unresolved, most of the major demands articulated by Ladakhi political organisations have now received acceptance in principle. The latest negotiations between representatives of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and a subcommittee of the High Power Committee, constituted by the Union Government, reportedly resulted in broad agreement regarding restoration of democratic institutions and constitutional protections for Ladakh.

According to statements issued by representatives of these organisations, the discussions led to an “In principle” understanding on restoring democracy in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of Article 371A, 371F and 371G (as applied to Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram). Most significantly, there appears to be agreement regarding the creation of a union territory-level elected body vested with legislative, executive and financial powers, under whose authority even the higher bureaucracy, including the Chief Secretary, would function.

These developments are politically significant not merely because they address long-standing grievances, but because they reflect the success of a transformed political strategy in Ladakh. The achievements of the recent movement are closely connected with the emergence of a new form of politics that consciously moved beyond the traditional binaries that had historically fragmented the region. The coming together of Leh and Kargil through the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) represented a decisive shift away from sectarian and subregional politics towards a broader and more inclusive Ladakhi political identity. The success of the movement lay precisely in this transformation.

Also read: Ladakh Groups Say In-Principle Deal Reached With Govt: Elected Legislature, CM and Path to Statehood

The history of Ladakh’s union territory demand

The present phase of political struggle began soon after the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 and the creation of the union territory of Ladakh without a legislature. Although the decision was initially celebrated in Leh, where the demand for union territory status had been articulated for nearly five decades, disillusionment soon emerged. Kargil, on the other hand, opposed the decision from the outset and viewed the new arrangement with deep apprehension.

Smoke rises from buildings including the local office of Bharatiya Janata Party set ablaze during protests demanding greater autonomy in Leh, Ladakh, Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Photo: AP/PTI.

The contrasting responses of Leh and Kargil in 2019 reflected the historical divisions that had long characterised Ladakh’s politics. The demand for union territory status had been articulated primarily by the Buddhist-majority district of Leh, especially through organisations such as the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA). The demand was rooted in a long-standing aspiration for separation from Kashmir and direct central administration. Ladakhi Buddhist leadership had consistently argued that Ladakh possessed a distinct cultural and civilisational identity and should not remain subordinated within the Kashmir-centric politics of J&K.

These sentiments had emerged soon after 1947. Ladakhi Buddhist leaders........

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