Context:

• The ongoing unrest in Ladakh highlights the growing strain within India’s federal framework, where governance without representation and delayed political dialogue have deepened local disillusionment.
• The situation serves as a reminder that national integrity depends not just on territorial control but on the trust between citizens and the state — a vital lesson in the context of India’s internal security and nation-building.

The Fraying Bonds of Unity - Majoritarian Politics and Regional Alienation:

• India faces growing internal discontent due to majoritarian politics and regional distrust.
• Minorities and tribal communities feel alienated, as seen in Manipur and Kashmir, while parts of southern India express unease over perceived northern dominance.
• The neglect of inclusive governance risks weakening the very fabric of Indian unity.

Ladakh’s Constitutional and Political Predicament:

• From hope to disillusionment:
  • In 2019, after the revocation of Article 370, Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory (UT) separate from Jammu & Kashmir.
  • Initially, Ladakhis welcomed this, expecting direct Central access and greater self-governance.
  • Over six years, however, the absence of legislative representation and autonomous safeguards (like those under the Sixth Schedule) has led to widespread disillusionment.
• Governance without representation:
  • Decisions on land, hydropower, and mining are being taken from Delhi, often ignoring local voices.
  • This has created a sense of political marginalisation and resource alienation among the locals.
  • The region’s traditional ecological and cultural equilibrium is under threat from corporate exploitation.

Protests and Crackdown - Wangchuk’s Arrest and its Symbolism:

• The September 2025 violence, which left four dead and dozens injured, followed by the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), has intensified anger.
• His NGO’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence was cancelled, and he was accused of “anti-national” activities despite a credible record of environmental and social work.
• The administrative response — curfews, internet bans, and arrests — indicates absence of dialogue and administrative insensitivity.

The Security Dimension - China Factor:

• Ladakh and the Line of Actual Control (LAC):
  • Since the Galwan clashes (2020), the LAC in eastern Ladakh has become heavily militarised.
  • India’s military preparedness is strong, but political calm — once the region’s strength — is weakening.
  • The unrest risks complicating civil–military relations and could be exploited by China to destabilise the area.
• National security beyond bunkers:
  • True national security depends not only on military might but on people’s confidence in governance.
  • Distrust between locals and the state can weaken intelligence inputs and internal stability.

The Way Forward - Restoring Trust and Representation:

• Immediate release of Wangchuk: As a goodwill gesture to resume political dialogue.
• Institutional dialogue: Engage with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
• Statutory safeguards: If Sixth Schedule inclusion is delayed, create special legislative protections for land, jobs, and local governance.
• Narrative management: Frame a positive national narrative respecting Ladakhi identity while countering misinformation.
• Diplomatic sensitivity: Brief international partners to prevent external interference in domestic unrest.

Broader Lessons for Governance - Inclusivity as the Core of Nation-Building:

• Governance should reflect federal balance and respect for local aspirations.
• Political engagement, not coercion, sustains democratic legitimacy and national integrity.
• Lessons from Manipur, Kashmir, and Ladakh underline the need for responsive federalism.

Conclusion:

• Ladakh’s unrest is more than a regional crisis — it’s a mirror to the state of India’s internal unity.
• The region, guarding India’s sensitive borders, is also where the “idea of India” is being tested.
• Restoring calm through dialogue, inclusion, and autonomy will not weaken the Union; it will reaffirm the strength of Indian democracy and statesmanship.