Ladakh year-ender 2025: Protests, politics and a region on edge

Ladakh endured a turbulent 2025 as political unrest, violent protests, stalled elections and climate shocks pushed the region into national focus. Demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards intensified after deadly clashes in Leh and the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk. Administrative changes and delayed reforms deepened anxieties over governance, identity and Ladakh's future.