What India is doing in Ladakh, even China is not doing in Tibet: Sonam Wangchuk

Srinagar: Prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday alleged that what India is doing in Ladakh, even China is not doing in Tibet.

Wangchuk demanded Union home minister Amit Shah’s resignation, claiming that he is responsible for the current situation in Ladakh and in many other parts of the country. He was addressing a commemoration ceremony in Leh along with the leaders of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance to pay tributes to four civilians killed during the protests in Leh on September 24, 2025. Most parts of Ladakh, including Leh and Kargil, observed shutdown, reiterating their demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards under sixth schedule. LAB and KDA said September 24 will be observed as ‘Shaheed Diwas’.

“When Rahul Gandhi said Shah must resign over pellets fired at Jantar Mantar, I supported that... What should happen over the use of live bullets with automatic rifles in Ladakh. I reiterate Shah must resign. He has to take responsibility for the situation in Ladakh and the massacre that took place here. He misuses official machinery here and in other parts of the country.”


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He reminded the BJP led central government of promises of statehood and sixth schedule made to the people of Ladakh. "The central government has broken promises and this is why we are protesting. Amit Shah in one of the meetings has told the leaders of Ladakh that even if the Prime Minister gives sixth schedule to Ladakh in writing, I won't give it to you. Now who is responsible for this situation," asked Wangchuk.

The climate activist who was booked under National Security Act after 2025 protests and released few months later, said that ensuring justice to people of Ladakh who have always fought on the frontlines for the country, is the responsibility of the whole nation.

"We had China right in front of us. We chose India for its democracy. But now what China is not doing in Tibet, India is doing in Ladakh," said Wangchuk.

He warned that people of Ladakh won't remain silent if their demands are not addressed and justice is not delivered to people here. "Politics of fear, intimidation and harassment won't work here. We will strive for justice. My last wish is to get killed in an encounter so that the country is awakened," said Wangchuk.

He reminded the central government of over 15 meetings that have taken place between MHA and representatives of Ladakh over the past six years. "Please don't run salt on the wounds of people of Ladakh and address the root cause of the issue and examine and act on why are we here protesting for our rights," said Wangchuk.

Wangchuk, who is part of the ABL and engaged in dialogue with the central government along with the KDA, demanded immediate submission and public release of the report of the judicial inquiry constituted into the September 24 incident.

"A year has passed without the report being made public...the inquiry should establish the circumstances leading to the firing, whether any firing order was issued, how automatic weapons were allegedly used against protesters and how the violence began. We are told that three muslim magistrates who were on duty on September 24, 2025 have refused to issue and later sign the firing orders. They were intimidated but they haven't succumbed. It seems the administration wanted to give it a communal color, but thankfully that hasn't happened," said Wangchuk. "If the inquiry report is not released immediately to establish the facts, we will call for a people's tribunal led by retired judges and other civil society members to establish the facts and circumstances," said Wangchuk.