Calling it one of the “saddest days” of his life, award-winning environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk said on Wednesday that the violent escalation of protests in Ladakh was the result of years of frustration over jobs, autonomy and what he described as broken promises.
Hours after demonstrations spiralled into arson and clashes with security forces, Wangchuk said the unrest was an “organic outburst” of angry young people demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
“For the last five years, we have maintained utmost peace and always peaceful approaches following Mahatma Gandhi’s path... But today was something totally unexpected, out of the blue, very organic, when youth came out and went on a rampage,” he said.
At least four people were killed and more than 70 injured after protesters set fire to the BJP office and a CRPF van in Leh. Police said over 30 personnel were hurt as security forces fired teargas shells and opened fire to disperse crowds. A curfew was later imposed across the Ladakh capital.
Wangchuk, who had been on a fast for over two weeks pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, said the violence was triggered when the health of fellow hunger strikers deteriorated. On Tuesday, an elderly man and a woman were taken to hospital in critical condition.
“That boiled their (young people’s) blood,” Wangchuk said. “Together with the fact that the government had given a date for talks which was unnecessarily 16 days away, people were very upset. So this frustration was pent-up inside.”
He linked the anger to long-standing grievances. “On one hand they have been jobless for the last five years, there have been almost no jobs particularly at the higher levels, and democracy has been curtailed. Their demands have been unmet,” he said.
The activist dismissed claims that the protests were politically orchestrated. “Totally, totally apolitical,” he said, adding that the apex body had even asked Congress representatives to step aside to avoid the perception of politicisation.
“I know Congress, they’re not so competent that one leader of theirs can call 5,000 people. That would be too much credit of their influence,” Wangchuk added.
When asked why BJP offices and police vehicles were specifically attacked, Wangchuk pointed to anger against the ruling party over its “U-turn” on granting Ladakh protection under the Sixth Schedule.
“In 2020 they had in their manifesto as point number one that Ladakh will be taken under Sixth Schedule. They completely took a U-turn,” he said.
He added that BJP leaders had also promised thousands of jobs that never materialised. “So there has been a pent-up frustration against them,” Wangchuk said.
Acknowledging that many young people had lost patience with his Gandhian methods, he said, “They would accuse me for keeping to the peaceful path of anshan. So this was already building up.” He added that he had ended his fast on Wednesday “in the interest of peace.”
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Rejecting allegations of external funding, Wangchuk said he had faced harassment, including a CBI probe into his school. “There are so many cases openly of corruption in the UT, but the investigation is happening on us,” he said.
Despite the bloodshed, Wangchuk vowed never to abandon the path of non-violence. “Maybe the government takes it more seriously and we don’t have to do anshan again. But yes, I will only and always take the peaceful path... not only until this is solved, but until my death,” he said.
The government, however, blamed Wangchuk for the unrest. In a press release, the Ministry of Home Affairs said a mob “motivated by his (Sonam Wangchuk) provocative speeches” left the hunger strike venue and set ablaze the BJP office and the Chief Executive Councillor’s office in Leh, while also torching police vehicles.
It said more than 30 police and CRPF personnel were injured in the attacks, forcing security forces to open fire “in self-defence.” The government accused “politically motivated individuals” of attempting to derail talks with the High Powered Committee (HPC), which has been engaging Ladakhi leaders.
The Centre also outlined measures it had taken, including increasing Scheduled Tribe reservations in Ladakh from 45% to 84%, providing one-third reservation for women in councils, recognising Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and initiating recruitment for 1,800 government posts. The next round of HPC talks is scheduled for October 6.
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