Government claims activist incited unrest in Leh amid ongoing discussions on Ladakh statehood.
The Union government has alleged that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk incited violence during recent protests in Leh, where demonstrators set fire to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office. According to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, this unrest was fueled by Wangchuk’s “provocative statements” and comes amid ongoing talks regarding statehood for Ladakh.
The home ministry suggested that certain politically motivated individuals were dissatisfied with the progress of discussions involving representatives from the government and local Ladakh groups, stating that these individuals aimed to undermine the dialogue process. This statement followed violent protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, resulting in four fatalities and over 45 injuries during clashes with law enforcement.
Protesters reportedly clashed with police, throwing stones and setting ablaze a police vehicle. The Sixth Schedule is designed to protect land rights and provide a degree of autonomy to citizens in tribal-dominated areas. Notably, over 97% of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes.
The home ministry indicated that Wangchuk had initiated a hunger strike on September 10 to advocate for statehood. It highlighted ongoing dialogues with the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance—groups formed to represent political and religious interests in the region. The ministry emphasized that significant progress had been made in negotiations, including increasing reservations for Ladakhi Scheduled Tribes and recognizing Bhoti and Purgi as official languages.
According to the ministry, the next meeting of the high-powered committee to address the region’s demands is scheduled for October 6, with preliminary discussions also planned for September 25 and 26. Despite multiple appeals for him to end his hunger strike, Wangchuk persisted, allegedly misleading the public with references to protests such as the Arab Spring and recent unrest in Nepal.
The ministry claimed that a mob, supposedly incited by Wangchuk’s speeches, attacked the BJP office and a government building in Leh, resulting in injuries to more than 30 police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel. It stated that law enforcement was forced to respond with gunfire in self-defense, leading to casualties.
The unrest reportedly subsided by 4 PM, but the ministry noted that Wangchuk concluded his hunger strike and departed for his village in an ambulance without adequately addressing the escalating situation. The government reiterated its commitment to addressing the aspirations of Ladakh’s residents by ensuring appropriate constitutional safeguards.
In the aftermath of the violence, the district administration in Leh imposed restrictions on gatherings of five or more individuals and mandated that any public processions or rallies require prior written permission. Following these events, Wangchuk urged restraint among protestors.
Concerns among Ladakh residents have been heightened since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which removed the region’s special status and divided it into Union Territories. Civil society groups have been advocating for the region’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule to safeguard its cultural identity and resources.
Wangchuk has previously engaged in multiple protests, including a 21-day hunger strike ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, to demand constitutional protections for Ladakh. Although an ordinance was introduced to amend the reservation policy, civil society groups argue that fundamental issues regarding statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion remain unresolved.
On the political front, the BJP has implicated the Opposition Congress party in instigating the protests, asserting that claims of Gen Z leadership are unfounded. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra identified a Congress Councillor as a key figure behind the demonstrations.
