ibn sultan
New Delhi/Leh, Sept 25:
The Union Home Ministry has held climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk responsible for the violence in Leh on Wednesday that left four protesters dead and dozens, including security personnel, injured.
In an official statement, the ministry alleged that Wangchuk’s “provocative” statements fuelled anger among Ladakhi youth over demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. The unrest erupted after two hunger strikers, part of a 35-day protest led by Wangchuk since September 10, were hospitalised due to deteriorating health.
The youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—which together represent Ladakh’s political and religious bodies—called for protests. Both groups have been engaged in talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ High-Powered Committee (HPC), chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, over Ladakh’s constitutional and political safeguards.
According to the ministry, despite appeals from several leaders, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike and invoked comparisons to “Arab Spring-style movements” and Gen Z protests in Nepal. On Wednesday, around 11:30 am, a mob allegedly influenced by his speeches set fire to a political party office, the Chief Executive Councillor’s office in Leh, and a police vehicle, leaving more than 30 police and CRPF personnel injured. Security forces opened fire in what they described as self-defence, resulting in casualties.
Incidentally, Wangchuk ended his hunger strike following the violence, urging youth to remain peaceful. “No hunger strike succeeds if lives are lost,” he said.
The ministry said the situation was brought under control by 4 pm and appealed to citizens not to circulate old or inflammatory videos on social media.
It also underlined that the Centre has been actively engaging with LAB and KDA through the HPC and sub-committees. The ministry listed recent measures as outcomes of this dialogue, including increasing Scheduled Tribe reservations in Ladakh from 45% to 84%, reserving one-third of seats for women in the hill council, recognising Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and initiating recruitment for 1,800 posts.
The statement accused “politically motivated individuals” of trying to sabotage the dialogue process, even as further HPC meetings are scheduled for September 25, 26, and October 6.
“The government stands committed to addressing the aspirations of Ladakh’s people by providing adequate constitutional safeguards,” the ministry said.
