The proposed Kargil-Leh foot march to press for statehood and other constitutional safeguards has been deferred in view of the Centre’s sub-committee meeting with Ladakh leaders on September 9.
The Ladakh administration has described the meeting as part of the ongoing dialogue aimed at strengthening democratic processes in the Union Territory. So far, the Ladakh leaders have held three rounds of talks with the officials of the Minister of home affairs. The Kargil Democratic Alliance had announced a foot march from September 10 to 24 to mark the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025, violence in Leh, which left four people dead, more than 80 injured and 85 arrested. Announcing the decision, Leh Apex Body (LAB) leader and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said, “Since the Centre has fixed September 9 for talks, we have decided to defer the foot march. If September 9 talks are good, then we will also hold minimal programmes in September, but if the talks fail or there is an attempt to delay the process or if talks are not result-oriented then we will go full throttle with our agitation in September. Wangchuk said the meeting offered an opportunity for the Centre to hold meaningful and result-oriented talks, against the backdrop of the May 22 meeting and subsequent signing off the minutes of meeting at Leh on July 3. Lakrook also welcomed the withdrawal of cases against students booked during the Jantar Mantar protest but said that the cases related to September 24 violence last year in Leh should also be withdrawn. A day later, the administration withdrew cases against 25 people registered over the September 24, 2025, clashes. Ladakh was created as a Union Territory without a legislative assembly on August 5, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2023, the MHA formed a high-powered committee under minister of state for home Nityanand Rai, to address the region’s culture, language, and strategic interests.
Former minister and LAB co-chairman, Chering Dorjay Lakrook, also said if ensuing talks fail, the agitation will be intensified. On August 19, regional leaders met Union home ministry officials in Leh and handed over a list of “non-negotiable” demands.
Leaders have been protesting since then to demand statehood and constitutional safeguards.
