The violence that shook Leh on Wednesday is unfortunate. No grievance, however genuine, can justify the loss of four lives, the torching of public property, or the injury of dozens of police personnel and protesters. What Ladakh witnessed was tragic—and avoidable.

There is no denying that the people of Ladakh are exercised over their demand for statehood. This is not a sudden outburst but a long-standing aspiration, dating back to the days of Sheikh Abdullah. When Ladakh was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and made a Union Territory, many saw it as only a halfway house to full statehood.

The centre has indeed invested heavily in Ladakh’s infrastructure. Roads, communications, and basic facilities have improved significantly. Yet, for many Ladakhis, development is no substitute fo

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