Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk apologises for Tibet reference

Srinagar:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday issued a video apology for comparing the situation in Tibet under China and Ladakh in India during a protest gathering in Leh on September 24.

Wangchuk said he apologises “unequivocally and unconditionally” for the “inappropriate comparison”, reiterating that he has stood for and spoken about the cause of Tibet for many years and even championed the Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama and pioneered the boycott of Chinese products in India. He said taking his issue further would only internationalise the matter unnecessarily.


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“This is for those Tibetan friends who seem to be offended by my recent comparison of what happened in Ladakh with that in Tibet. First of all, I want to unequivocally, unconditionally and simply apologise for this in appropriate comparison. Of course what the Tibetans have gone through in the last eight to nine decades cannot be compared to the last few years or to that one day of September 24, 2025,” said Wangchuk.

While addressing a protest gathering in Leh on September 24, Wangchuk had said that “Ladakh chose India for its democracy but now what China is not doing in Tibet, India is doing in Ladakh”.

“My intention was not to compare these two. My intent was to highlight the oppression Ladakh saw on that particular day last year. I along with many Ladakdhis think that the treatment Ladakh got, the brutal killings, the injuries and jail sentences were as bad as it can get anywhere in the world,” said Wangchuk.

The climate activist said that pain is a subjective matter and that to us our pain is huge and for others their pain is biggest in the world.

“So let’s not even compare, because anything may make Ladakhis feel like their pain is being belittled. It will unnecessarily create divide between Ladakhis and Tibetans. Let’s not do that,” said Wangchuk, who reiterated that he was the biggest supporter of the Tibetan cause.

“When no one was speaking I was the one to start ‘boycott Chinese goods’ movement in India. When hardly anybody was speaking out about the controversy surrounding His Holiness Dalai Lama, I took a stand and stuck my neck out. And I have always been championing for Bharat Ratna for His Holiness, this is why you cannot doubt my intentions,” said Wangchuk adding, “My words may have been in inappropriate. So, I hope with this apology, we can put to rest all such things and live with happiness and friendship for ever.”

The climate activist warned that those “intelligence agencies and certain groups in Ladakh who are working with the oppressors” should not make this issue any more.

“The more you carry on this debate, the more you will internationalise this issue, making the world debate about who is worse, China in Tibet or India in Ladakh. In fact, it is not about India. Ladakh has been happily in India for the last 70 years,” said Wangchuk, adding, “It is only the regime in last six years and that particular day Ladakhis are complaining. Why unnecessarily give world a chance to compare these two incomparable nations. So, I hope we all understand and take our steps wisely.”