The people of Ladakh wish to be part of the open world: Siddiq Wahid

Published on September 29, 2025. In this exclusive interview with Frontline, Siddiq Wahid, a Distinguished Professor from Shiv Nadar University and an expert on Tibet and Ladakh affairs, comments on the escalating crisis in Ladakh. He argues that the Centre must worry as growing discontent in the region threatens to take an unpredictable turn. With 75 years of demonstrated loyalty to India now being tested, Ladakh's patience is wearing thin over unfulfilled promises made by the Central government, according to the historian. Professor Wahid, who has written extensively on the region, warns that the Centre's handling of the peaceful protest movement—which seeks protection for Ladakh's unique identity, culture, language, land, and jobs—risks pushing a new generation of Ladakhi leaders into agitational and confrontational modes. This shift in leadership from older, calmer voices to younger, more assertive ones represents a dangerous inflexion point that the Central government cannot afford to ignore, particularly in a border region of such strategic importance. What makes the current situation especially significant is the unprecedented unity among Ladakh's diverse population of 3,00,000—including Muslims (Shia and Sunni), Buddhists, and Christians—with traditional divisions between Kargil and Leh, and between religious communities, being erased in the face of common concerns. Professor Wahid says this unity is a "headache" for the Centre, especially given what he describes as the BJP's strategy of exploiting fault lines. The primary concern driving this unified movement is jobs, compounded by frustrations over outsiders controlling the region's bureaucracy, administration, and police without understanding local sensibilities. He emphasises that Ladakh is resisting attempts at fragmentation and that its demands for constitutional protections are well within India's legal framework. He challenges what he calls "plain silly" accusations against prominent activists like Sonam Wangchuk, while stressing that the real challenge for Ladakhis is maintaining their unity and keeping their struggle peaceful—even as Delhi's continued neglect threatens to undermine the faith of border communities. Perfect for: Policy experts Historians Students of Indian politics Those interested in Ladakh Credits: Host: Gowhar Geelani Camera: Adil Abass and Idrees Abbas Produced by Saatvika Radhakrishna Editing by Razal Pareed