'Activist Sonam Wangchuk's Remarks Provoked Mob': Centre On Ladakh Violence

A police vehicle was set ablaze by protesters in Leh, Ladakh, on Wednesday

Leh/New Delhi:

The government has attributed the violent clashes in Ladakh to activist Sonam Wangchuk, which resulted in four fatalities and 70 injuries. "Despite numerous leaders urging him to end his hunger strike, he persisted and misled citizens through inflammatory references to Arab Spring-style demonstrations and Nepal's Gen Z protests," stated the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"A mob, incited by his provocative speeches, departed from the hunger strike venue and attacked both a political party office and the CEC Leh government office... It is evident that the crowd was directed by Sonam Wangchuk through his inflammatory statements," the ministry continued.

Previously, government sources indicated that the Ladakh situation was deliberately orchestrated rather than naturally escalating. According to these sources, Ladakh and its youth are suffering significant consequences due to narrow political agendas pursued by certain individuals, particularly the personal ambitions of activist Sonam Wangchuk.

Government sources maintained that Ladakh's young people should not be blamed as they were misled by a calculated scheme for political and personal advantage, while affirming the centre's commitment to Ladakh residents' welfare and empowerment.

As demonstrators demanding statehood in the Union Territory engaged in violent confrontations with police today, some protesters set fire to the Ladakh Hill Council Assembly hall, according to the Leh deputy commissioner. Authorities reported that 50 security personnel sustained injuries from stones thrown by the mob.

Mr. Wangchuk subsequently terminated his two-week hunger strike, which had called for statehood and the extension of the Constitution's Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

The Centre had previously scheduled an October 6 meeting for a high-powered committee to address issues raised by the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), and had agreed to include new committee members as proposed by the ABL.

However, government sources indicated that meetings were being considered for September 25-26 following requests for earlier dates, emphasizing that the Centre has consistently been open to dialogue. They noted that previous talks proposed for July 25 did not receive a positive response.

The sources questioned why violence was instigated in this peaceful region when talks were already arranged, alleging that Mr. Wangchuk had long suggested a desire for Arab Spring-style protests in Ladakh.

"...The dialogue process through this mechanism has produced remarkable results, including increasing reservations for Ladakh's Scheduled Tribes from 45% to 84%, implementing 1/3 women's reservations in councils, and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages. This also initiated recruitment for 1,800 positions. However, certain politically motivated individuals dissatisfied with the HPC's progress have attempted to undermine the dialogue process," stated the MHA, referring to the high-powered committee engaged in discussions with the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance.

📢 Press Release on Ladakh⭐ A hunger strike was initiated by Sh Sonam Wangchuk on 10-09-2025 demanding 6th schedule and statehood for Ladakh. It's widely known that the 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

Government sources suggested his references to Nepal's Gen Z protests appeared to serve as a blueprint, questioning whether he utilized the Ladakh platform to address personal issues, potentially concealing certain emerging irregularities.

Sources claimed Congress leaders made statements resembling instructions - advocating stone-throwing, strikes, and arson. They characterized the entire episode as an apparent conspiracy motivated by political interests and personal gain.

Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta reported that a mob attempted to "burn CRPF men inside a vehicle," referring to the Central Reserve Police Force. The local BJP office was also set ablaze.

'Saddest Day': Sonam Wangchuk

As the situation deteriorated earlier today, Mr. Wangchuk issued an online appeal announcing the early conclusion of his fast for statehood and Sixth Schedule implementation.

"I implore Ladakh's youth to immediately cease violence as it only harms our cause and worsens the situation. We do not desire instability in Ladakh or the country," he told his supporters.

"This represents the saddest day for Ladakh and for me personally because our five-year peaceful journey... We conducted hunger strikes on five occasions and walked from Leh to Delhi, but today we witness our message of peace failing due to incidents of violence and arson," he stated, requesting the administration to stop deploying teargas.

"We are immediately terminating our fast... The hunger strike's purpose is undermined if our youth lose their lives. It's time to advance dialogue with composure. We will maintain a non-violent approach to our demonstration and I also urge the government to acknowledge our peaceful message... when peace messages are ignored, such situations develop," the Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient explained to supporters.

The Constitution's Sixth Schedule, which has been implemented for tribal populations in four northeastern states (Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Assam), establishes special provisions for governance, presidential and gubernatorial powers, local body structures, alternative judicial mechanisms, and financial authorities exercised through autonomous councils.

The LAB and KDA have jointly led protests supporting their demands over the past four years, with tensions escalating since Tuesday evening following their call for demonstrations through a shutdown of Leh town.