ibn sultan
Ladakh, Mar 5: has resigned from his post as the Lieutenant Governor of , nearly nine months after assuming office.
Gupta had taken oath on July 18, 2025, becoming the third Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory. His resignation comes amid continuing political debate and public mobilization over Ladakh’s administrative future.
During his tenure, the region witnessed increasing protests led by civil society groups such as the and the . These groups have been demanding statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, and job reservations for local residents.
The agitation intensified in September 2025 when demonstrations in Leh turned violent during protests linked to the statehood movement. Police firing during the clashes left four protesters dead and several others injured, leading authorities to impose curfew and security restrictions in parts of the region.
The protests are part of a broader movement that began after Ladakh was carved out of the former state of in 2019 and placed under direct central administration. Since then, various groups have been demanding greater political autonomy and constitutional protections for the region.
Gupta’s resignation comes at a time when discussions over Ladakh’s political status and governance structure continue to dominate public discourse in the Union Territory.
