Top news of the day: Sonam Wangchuk accuses government of defeating Ladakh Statehood protests by forcing youth to take up violence; Karnataka High Court rejects X’s plea against takedown orders, and more

In this image posted on September 24, 2025, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk speaks after protest erupted regarding the demand to advance the proposed talks with the Centre on extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh. Sonam ended his 15-day hunger strike amid ongoing clashes. Picture: X/@Wangchuk66 via PTI

Amid the violence during protests demanding Statehood for Ladakh, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday (September 24, 2025) said that “nobody had an inkling something like this will happen”. He was addressing a virtual press conference after a group of protesters comprising “school and college students and monks” clashed with the police. Violent protests erupted outside the BJP office in Leh town during a 35-day hunger strike called by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) over the Centre’s delay to hold “result-oriented” talks over several long-pending demands, including Statehood and granting Sixth Schedule status to the region.Violent protests erupted outside the BJP office in Leh town during a shutdown call issued by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh over the Centre’s delay to hold “result-oriented” talks over several long pending demands, which include granting Statehood and Sixth Schedule status to the region. Leh’s District Magistrate has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 -- which bars assembly of more than four people in the region -- citing possible disturbance to public peace and danger to human life. Published - September 24, 2025 07:14 pm IST