A month of remembrance begins: Leh pays tribute to Sept’ 24 martyrs with candle light march

“Their families should know that we have not forgotten the sacrifices they made. The people of Ladakh will remember them forever,” says LBA President

LEH: The ‘Martyrs Month’ observance in Ladakh began on Monday with a peaceful candlelight march through Leh Main Market, bringing together people from across the community and representatives of all major religious bodies to remember those who lost their lives, suffered injuries or were imprisoned during last year’s movement for Ladakh’s demands.

The month-long programme, being observed from August 24 to September 24, 2026, has been announced under the banner of the People’s Movement for 6th Schedule for Ladakh, Apex Body Leh.  The campaign titled “Our Beloved Heroes – Sons of Ladakh,” pays tribute to the martyrs of September 24, 2025, and carries the message: “We remember their sacrifice. We honour their courage. We continue their struggle.”

The gathering was addressed by religious heads and paid their tribute to the September 24 martyrs of Ladakh. Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) President Chering Dorjey Lakruk said the observance had been planned to ensure that the sacrifices made during the movement for Ladakh’s demands are not forgotten.

 “We had announced earlier that we would observe the entire month in memory of those who were martyred on September 24 last year and those who were injured,” Lakruk said, describing Monday’s candlelight march as the first programme of the month.

He said the people of Ladakh had witnessed the loss of lives, injuries and imprisonment during the agitation and stressed the need to keep the sacrifices alive in public memory. “We want to remind people that last year many people sacrificed their lives for Ladakh’s demands, while many others were jailed and many were injured,” he said, adding that a series of programmes would be organised throughout the month.

The candlelight march, marked by a solemn and peaceful atmosphere, saw participation from all religious bodies of Leh, with religious leaders addressing the gathering attended by a large number of people. The collective participation gave the opening event a broader social and spiritual character, as people came together to honour those who died and suffered during the movement.

Lakruk also conveyed a message to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, saying their contribution had not been forgotten.  “Their families should know that we have not forgotten the sacrifices they made. The people of Ladakh will remember them forever,” he said.

The observance will continue until September 24, 2026, in solidarity with the martyrs of September 24, 2025. People were called up to honour their sacrifice and courage while continuing the struggle for safeguarding Ladakh’s future.

The campaign is being organised against the backdrop of the long-standing demand for constitutional and institutional safeguards for Ladakh, including the Sixth Schedule, with the organisers seeking to keep the issue and the sacrifices associated with the movement firmly in public consciousness.

The opening candlelight march thus set the tone for a month of remembrance, with organisers indicating that various programmes would be held across Ladakh to commemorate the martyrs and those who were injured or otherwise affected during the movement.