Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is set to lead a 20-kilometer symbolic march in Leh next week, marking the first anniversary of the violent clashes in Ladakh that left four civilians dead.
Originally planned as a long-distance padyatra starting from Kargil and concluding in Leh on September 24, organizers truncated the route to a localized demonstration. Wangchuk cited shifting weather conditions and a changing political climate as reasons for adjusting the event’s scale.
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Addressing supporters on social media, Wangchuk explained that while the core purpose remains advocating for the conservation of Ladakh’s culture, environment, and democratic rights, the dropping temperatures in the high-altitude region required a shorter route. The 20-km march will take place in Leh on September 23. He further announced that September 24 will be observed across the territory as Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs’ Day) to honor the civilians killed during last year’s unrest.
The upcoming commemoration traces back to September 24, 2025, when a shutdown called by local youth and student organizations escalated into violence in Leh city. The general strike was called after two elderly citizens fainted during an ongoing hunger strike led by Wangchuk, who was pushing for statehood and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule. Police opened fire during the subsequent violent clashes, resulting in four deaths and injuring 44 others. In the aftermath, Wangchuk was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and spent six months detained in Jodhpur jail.
In the run-up to the anniversary, the Union Territory administration moved to address a longstanding grievance of the region’s representative bodies. On Sunday, officials announced a compensation package totaling ₹1.52 crore for those affected by the 2025 police firing.
