Since becoming a Union Territory in 2019, Ladakh has lived with growing uncertainty over its political future and identity. Demands for full statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule have become stronger, as people fear the loss of land, resources, and ecological balance in this fragile Himalayan region. Ever since, protests and hunger strikes led by educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk have drawn national attention, while civil society groups and political leaders continue to press the Centre for clarity and action.
This Frontline package looks at Ladakh’s ongoing struggle—from local anxieties and environmental challenges to border tensions and the push for constitutional safeguards.