Ladakh Protests: Sonam Wangchuk Accused of Inciting Violence

The Ladakh protests began as a peaceful hunger strike but turned violent when clashes erupted in Leh and surrounding areas

Tensions in Ladakh mounted spectacularly this week following the central government’s accusation that prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk had been instrumental in inciting violent confrontations that injured many individuals and heightened tensions in the Union Territory.

Wangchuk’s public statements, especially a speech on September 24, were reportedly inciting a mob that eventually descended into violence, attacking police and security officers. The government asserts that the officers were left with no option but to fire in self-defense, causing casualties. More than 30 security officers were reportedly hurt during the riot.

Hunger Strike and Ladakh Protests 2025

The uprising is attached to longstanding demands for Ladakh statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which allows for increased autonomy at the local level. Wangchuk, who led a hunger strike starting September 10, has been spearheading the movement. Peaceful for weeks, the protest turned violent when clashes erupted in Leh and the surrounding areas.

Though there has been continuous dialogue via a High-Powered Committee instituted by the central government, Wangchuk had himself criticized the speed and good faith of negotiations in public. His critics say that his words helped to fuel the mounting anger of the local population, particularly the youth.

Political Crossfire

Wangchuk has rejected charges of political maneuvering, specifically the idea that the Congress party was behind the protests. He questioned logic that would accuse a party with “little to no presence” in Ladakh of organizing such a huge turnout.

But Amit Malviya, BJP’s IT cell head, struck back by tweeting images and videos of Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, a Congress councillor, participating openly in the protests. Malviya accused him of leading the mob and attacking BJP and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council offices.

Fueling the furor further, the Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta hinted that the violent turn of the protests was not an impromptu reaction. Comparing recent youth-stoked revolutions in Nepal and Bangladesh, he hinted at Ladakh’s agitation being backed by a grand ideological or even geo-political motive.

A Movement or a Crisis?

Wangchuk ended his 15-day hunger strike just as violence broke out. In an open declaration, he termed the current agitation as a “Gen Z revolution,” following similar youth-led calls for change that have transformed political landscapes in other South Asian nations.

But while the activist and his supporters contend that this is a battle for Ladakh’s democratic rights and identity, the government perceives the recent happenings as a dangerous escalation—one motivated by provocation rather than peaceful protest.

At least 20 civilians were said to be injured in the violence, with several deaths confirmed but exact figures unknown. Investigations continue, and the government has stated that additional action could be taken against those who are thought to have instigated violence.

Since Ladakh is situated at a crossroads, the question is: is this the emergence of a spontaneous movement for autonomy—or the start of greater unrest in a strategically key region?

For more –https://civiclens.in/ladakh-statehood-protests-violence-curfew/