The Gen-Z movement of September 8–9 in Nepal is now being emulated around the world. From the Philippines to Ladakh, in India protests have begun to follow the Gen-Z model.
Following violent protests demanding greater autonomy from the Indian government, which resulted in four deaths and dozens injured in a single day, Indian authorities have imposed security restrictions in the two main districts of the remote Ladakh region.
Officials have prohibited gatherings of more than five people in Leh and Kargil. On Thursday, with hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel deployed on the streets, markets and businesses remained shut. The protests turned violent after a march was stopped in the high-altitude city of Leh, with demonstrators pelting stones. Police responded with gunfire, tear gas, and baton charges, leading to at least four fatalities and numerous injuries, according to reports.
Protesters also set fire to government buildings and the local office of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Political demands for rights and land protection have intensified in the region since 2019, when India separated Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir, stripping it of its statehood and semi-autonomous status. The current protests began after the health of two individuals participating in a recent hunger strike deteriorated.
India’s Home Ministry stated that police fired in “self-defense” and blamed the violence on an “inflammatory speech” by top climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has since called off his hunger strike. This has been described as the worst violence in decades, highlighting the deep frustration among local residents. Many who initially supported the 2019 change are now discontent, fearing land grabs, business losses, and damage to the fragile ecosystem.
Representatives from Ladakh have held repeated talks with the Indian government without achieving any results. Another meeting is scheduled for October 6th. The region is also severely impacted by climate change, with glaciers melting at an alarming rate, threatening the water supply for millions. The border dispute with China and increased military activity since 2020 have exacerbated pollution, further accelerating the melt.
