Amit Shah To Visit Leh On April 30, First Since Ladakh Statehood Protests

Amit Shah will visit Leh on April 30 for two days, his first Ladakh trip since last year’s unrest over statehood and Sixth Schedule, and will attend Buddha Purnima events.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah (ANI File)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Leh on April 30 for a two-day trip, marking his first visit to the Union Territory since the unrest last year over demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.

The visit comes at a politically sensitive time, with local groups continuing to press for greater constitutional safeguards and administrative autonomy. Shah’s presence is being closely watched as a signal of the Centre’s engagement with the region following the tensions.

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena made the announcement about the Home Minister’s visit, in a post on X. During his Ladakh visit, the Minister is scheduled to attend events linked to Buddha Purnima.

“It gives me great pleasure in sharing that Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah will be arriving in Leh on 30th April for a two-day visit. On 1st May, he will pay his respects to the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima and share his thoughts on the spiritual significance of the sacred exposition being held in Ladakh from 1-14 May,” LG Saxena tweeted.

“His visit underscores the commitment of Government of India for the development of Ladakh,” the LG added.

This will be Shah’s first visit after protests and clashes in Ladakh drew national attention to long-standing demands for statehood and constitutional protections. The visit could play a key role in shaping the Centre’s approach to addressing these concerns while reinforcing its development agenda in the strategically significant region.

Unrest In Ladakh Over Statehood Demand

In March, large crowds gathered in Leh and Kargil following calls by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory of Ladakh. The demonstrations on March 16 took place shortly after the Centre withdrew the National Security Act against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, leading to his release after nearly six months in detention. He had been in custody since September last year in connection with unrest during protests in Leh over the same demands.

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