Sonam Wangchuk's 'explosive situation' remark in 2024 goes viral amid violent clashes in Ladakh

In 2024, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk warned that Ladakh’s lack of democratic institutions and high unemployment could fuel instability in the sensitive border region. Speaking at a press conference in Kullu during a foot march to Delhi with around 100 volunteers, Wangchuk highlighted that the people of Ladakh were seeking a greater role in governance.

“We are thankful that Ladakh was made a Union Territory. But our original demand was UT with the legislature, so that the locals there could also participate in running their own region. But now that Ladakh is being run by bureaucracy, the local people have been cut off from governance,” he said in 2024.
Do you think giving locals more governance powers could prevent unrest in regions like Ladakh?


“This is dangerous for a fragile and sensitive area like Ladakh. You can imagine the situation of the local people when on the one hand, the govt has clipped their wings by not giving them democracy and on the other, cut their hands by not providing them jobs. The situation can turn explosive in Ladakh, which borders Pakistan and China,” Wangchuk added.

The shutdown and protest was called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) in support of their demand to advance the proposed talks with the Centre on the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and statehood to Ladakh.

“The lieutenant governor chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess the emerging situation across Ladakh, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, and proactive measures to safeguard peace, security, and public order across the UT,” the L-G's office said in a post on X.

Officials said senior officers from the police, CRPF and civil administration attended the meeting and discussed in detail the prevailing law and order situation in the region.

Hundreds of protesters supporting the movement for statehood to Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule turned violent on Wednesday and set the BJP office in Leh and several vehicles on fire, prompting the authorities to clamp curfew in the town and its adjoining areas.

The Centre alleged the mob violence was guided by the "provocative statements" of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, while certain "politically motivated" individuals were not happy with the progress made in the ongoing talks between the representatives of the government and Ladakhi groups.

The climate activist, who was leading a hunger strike in Leh over the twin demands, called off his hunger strike after the violence on Wednesday.