Did Sonam Wangchuk, Congress fuel the Ladakh violence, despite government pledge to address aspirations of people

The Union Territory of Ladakh is the gateway to India. It is also a solid fort that protects India’s territorial and strategic interests from any threat emanating from the external forces. In this direction, the comprehensive development of the region is extremely pivotal. Realising this fact and to steadfast the developmental goals in the region, Government of India, in 2019 with the abolition of article 370, carved Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. Since then, Ladakh has been fuelled with exclusive funds, functionaries and developmental initiatives. The declaration of Ladakh as a Union Territory is also a symbol of recognition and respect to the unique cultural, ethnicity and civilizational ethos of Ladakh, which was infact long demanded by its people.

Government conceding to the demands of the people

In 2019, when the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh was erected, apparently there was no violence, protest or reluctance from the people of Ladakh. Instead, there was celebrations and gratification. Because, it was indeed a long-standing demand of the people of Ladakh to have separate administration devoid of J&K, given its unique culture and practices. Since being a Union Territory, Ladakh people continued their demands with respect to employment, administrative autonomy etc. The government as well, is consistently working to fulfill the aspirations of the inhabitants of Ladakh and some of them have been delivered as well.

For example, reservation for the scheduled tribes in Ladakh has been raised from 45 per cent to 84 per cent. 1/3rd representation has been endorsed to women in the local councils. Bhoti and Purgi, the tribal languages have been given the official status. Most importantly, recruitment process has been underway for more than 1,800 posts. The other demands such as the inclusion of the region in the 6th schedule of the constitution are under consideration.

Also, government on many occasions has reiterated that it is committed to the aspirations of the people of Ladakh and will render adequate constitutional safeguards. In this direction a high-powered committee(HPC), numerous sub-committee and even informal talks with the locals has been constituted and consistent dialogue has been going-on with the regional groups such as Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.

Centre had also fixed a high-powered committee meeting for October 6, 2025 to discuss the issues demanded by the Apex Body of Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance. Government had also accepted for the inclusion of the new members proposed by the Apex Body of Leh, into the high-powered committee. Infact, government was also considering to propone the meeting to September 25-26, based on the demands of the people.

Despite these efforts from the government, the Union Territory of Ladakh lately witnessed violent protests. People hit the streets and set ablaze public properties, leading to the death of four people and more than 80 injured including the local police and the CRPF personnel. This sudden eruption of violent protests, thus, raises serious question regarding the role of vested interests who are misleading and provoking the people of Ladakh in order to fulfill respective personal ambitions and narrow political gains.

📢 Press Release on Ladakh

⭐ A hunger strike was started by Sh Sonam Wangchuk on 10-09-2025 stating the demand of 6th schedule and statehood for Ladakh. It is well known that Government of India has been actively engaged with Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance on…

— PIB – Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) September 24, 2025

Sonam Wangchuk and his provocative statements

Sonam Wangchuk is the founder of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement in Ladakh. He is known for his activism across the Union Territory. He began an indefinite hunger strike on September 10, demanding further constitutional guarantees, greater autonomy, statehood and inclusion into the sixth schedule of the constitution. During the hunger strike, he addressed the gathering of young men with provocative statements.

Inspite of many leaders urging Sonam Wangchuk to end the hunger strike and indulge in dialogue with the government, he continued the protests. He also uttered provocative remarks and called the youth of Ladakh to instigate an Arab Spring style or the latest Nepal protest kind of agitation in Ladakh. The mob was misled by his provocative remarks, immediately left the place and vandalized the public properties.

Many local sources have also exclaimed that the violence in Ladakh is not organic. Instead it has been deliberately engineered by some vested interests who are antithetical to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. Unfortunately the innocent youth of Ladakh have been victim to such vicious interests, narrow political games and are being prey to the people who seek to fulfill their personal ambitions in the name of prospering and securing Ladakh.

Ministry of Home Affairs also noted that the demands on which Mr. Wangchuk initiated a hunger strike are an integral part of the agenda under discussion by the high-powered committee. Mr. Wangchuk’s provocative remarks and reference to Arab spring and uprising in Nepal stimulated the youth to take extreme steps. However, when the innocent people were being victim of the shitty politics, Mr, Wangchuk abruptly ended his hunger strike and went to his village in an ambulance without making any effort to console the youth or to shred the violence and reinstall peace in the Union Territory, statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs further added.

Violence inflicted by the Congress Councilor

Many sources also opine that the Congress Councilor from the Upper Leh ward of Ladakh Satnzin Tsepang deliberately inflicted the violent protests. Numerous photos and videos are surfacing in the internet where the councilor and his supporters can be seen purposefully instigating the violence. He can also be seen marching towards the BJP office in Ladakh, with a weapon in his hand and provoking the mob as well to take violent measures.

This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward.

He can be clearly seen instigating the mob and participating in violence that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council.

Is this the kind of unrest Rahul Gandhi has been… pic.twitter.com/o2WHdcCIuC

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 24, 2025

“The Congress has a nefarious design. It’s Congress’ conspiracy. This is Rahul Gandhi’s plan with George Soros. Since they cannot win through people, they conspire to break the country. Rahul Gandhi repeatedly incites the youth to create conditions like those occurred in Bangladesh and Nepal to bring similar circumstances to India. What kind of leadership is this for the Congress”, asked BJP MP Sambit Patra.

Ladakh is the gateway and first frontier of India. Development of the region is thus a paramount importance for the government. Working to fulfill the demands of its people is vital for the inclusive and comprehensive growth of Bharat. However, delivering the constitutional and developmental parameters is a long-drawn process considering the diversity, sensitivity and strategic significance of the region that borders China on the one-side and its proximity to Pakistan. Ladakh, the first frontier of India cannot be used by vested interests, cannot be a fertile playground for the alien, illicit and foreign political forces under the veil of developing the region and fulfilling the aspirations of people. Ultimately, its youth cannot be misled for narrow political gains.