A civil society group in Ladakh is launching a protest against the Home Ministry’s failure to hold talks

A Ladakh civil society group, Leh Apex Body (LAB), on Thursday (November 12, 2026) organized an open-ended meeting in Leh over the failure of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to resume talks with civil society bodies in the region and hold elections to upper councils at the height of winter. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was placed under house arrest and was not allowed to join the protest.

Dozens of protesters, both male and female, gathered at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Memorial Park in Leh. It is the same place where a large demonstration broke out in September 2025. The protesters raised six demands, which included opposition to concurrent elections, convening of a meeting of the MHA sub-committee, release of a judicial commission of inquiry report on the 24 September incident, unconditional withdrawal of all cases, formation of an independent delimitation commission and complete withdrawal of the new policy.

“Our indefinite dharna is because the MHA has not resumed talks with Ladakhi groups and holding elections to the upper council at the height of winter. Already 25% of the population has left Ladakh. This is not the right time to hold elections,” said LAB co-chairman Tsering Dorjey Lakrook.

Fear of stealing votes

LAB also highlighted for the first time concerns about the fairness of the upcoming elections. “We are concerned that this election will be rigged. We are concerned about ‘sick’ voting. Several voters, mostly Gen Z voters, have been removed from the electoral rolls. They cannot register now. We see a conspiracy behind this election,” Mr Lakrook said.

The State Election Commission (SEC) in Ladakh has announced panchayat and municipal elections on November 21 and upper body elections in eight districts on December 4. Ladakh is a Union Territory without a legislature and these High Councils are the main platform from which public representatives can operate. However, LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are against the December assembly elections and are demanding a six-month postponement.

“We are going to intensify our protests. LAB and KDA are in touch with each other. We are also facing issues like liquor license, Nautor land issue etc,” Mr Lakrook said.

He said that the Trans-Himalayan people were unhappy. “Arunachal Pradesh is witnessing land protests. Ladakh is witnessing rights protests. People from these regions are the first to support the army in case of any threat. Is this good for national security?” asked Mr. Lakrook.

Meanwhile, the LG administration prevented Mr. Wangchuk from joining these protests. “It is sad that Mr. Wangchuk, who is an important member of LAB, was placed under house arrest on Wednesday (November 11, 2026). He had food with us when he was asked to move to his house. This exposes the administration. All he is doing is supporting our demands,” Mr. Lakrook said.

Citing Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the District Magistrate, Leh, on Wednesday (November 11, 2026) imposed restrictions on Mr. Wangchuk’s movement “to refrain from any activity, organizing or participating in any unauthorized assembly, procession or public disorder likely to cause disturbance to public order or conduct likely to interfere with the peaceful conduct of the ongoing electoral processes in the territorial jurisdiction of Leh”.

“This order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in force for a period of 60 days unless revoked or modified sooner in accordance with law,” it said.

According to the official order, Superintendent of Police Leh was directed to issue preventive orders and impose restrictions on Mr Wangchuk “on the basis that his activities, previous antecedents and alleged attempts to mobilize and incite the general public have previously affected public order in the district”.

BJP supports the polls

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang extended support for the upcoming elections and appealed to the people of Ladakh to “participate wholeheartedly and peacefully in the upcoming Upper House elections to be held on December 4”.

Describing the election as a “historic opportunity to strengthen grassroots democracy and secure the future of the region”, Mr Chhewang said: “For the first time, 33% reservation for women has been introduced. I urge Ladakh women to seize this opportunity and actively participate in political leadership and decision-making.”

He also welcomed the creation of six new districts. Referring to Ladakh’s struggle for autonomy and Union Territory status, Mr Chhewang said: “These achievements have been secured through patience, unity, perseverance and collective determination. Ladakh’s hard-won democratic rights and institutions must be protected and strengthened rather than allowed to weaken.”

He emphasized Ladakh’s unwavering commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of India and emphasized the need to protect the region’s distinct cultural identity, fragile environment and deeply protected Buddhist spiritual heritage.

“I appeal to the young generation not to let this historic opportunity go to waste. This is a watershed moment and no one should stand in its way,” Mr Chhewang said.

Published – November 12, 2026 10:51 PM IST