On Thursday, September 25, 2025, acclaimed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk issued a stark warning to the government: imprisoning him could worsen the current problems in Ladakh rather than resolve them. He vehemently criticized the Home Ministry’s statement, which had pointed to him as a provocateur behind the recent violent protests, labeling it a ‘scapegoat tactic’.
Responding to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) allegations that he incited the mob violence on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Mr. Wangchuk stated his readiness to face arrest under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
“I observe their efforts to build a case against me under the Public Safety Act, aiming to jail me for two years,” he shared over the phone. “I am prepared for that, but a Sonam Wangchuk in prison might cause more difficulties for them than a free one.”
The climate activist further commented, “To claim that I, or at times the Congress, instigated this violence is merely an attempt to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the fundamental issues at hand. This approach will lead us nowhere.”
“They may be clever in shifting blame, but they are not acting wisely. In these times, wisdom is crucial, not just ‘cleverness,’ because the youth are already deeply frustrated,” Mr. Wangchuk added.
He firmly attributed the outburst of violence to deep-seated grievances, particularly the widespread frustration among the region’s youth. He emphasized that the true cause stems from “six years of unemployment and promises left unfulfilled at every level.”
Mr. Wangchuk accused the government of misrepresenting progress by highlighting partial job reservations, noting that crucial demands for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule – intended to safeguard Ladakh’s tribal status and delicate environment – have remained “unaddressed after five years of peaceful appeals.”
By resorting to a “scapegoat tactic,” the government is “not genuinely working towards peace,” but rather taking actions that will “further exacerbate” the situation by diverting focus from the people’s core demands, he asserted.
The movement for Ladakh’s statehood, spearheaded by Wangchuk, tragically turned violent on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, leading to arson, street clashes, four fatalities, and at least 80 injuries, including 40 police personnel, according to officials.
As the day concluded, marking what is arguably the worst violence in the cold desert region since 1989, Mr. Wangchuk ended his two-week hunger strike. Concurrently, authorities imposed a curfew across the Leh district.
Earlier that day, groups of young people engaged in arson and vandalism, targeting BJP and Hill Council headquarters and setting vehicles ablaze.
Police and paramilitary forces, deployed in large numbers throughout the town, used tear gas to restore order, officials reported.
In a late-night statement, the Union Home Ministry alleged that the mob violence was fueled by the “provocative statements” of activist Mr. Wangchuk and certain “politically motivated” individuals who were dissatisfied with the progress of talks between the government and Ladakhi groups.
The Ministry stated that, apart from a few unfortunate incidents early on Wednesday, the situation was brought under control by 4 p.m. and urged everyone to refrain from circulating old and inflammatory videos on traditional and social media.
“It is widely known that the Government of India has been actively engaging with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance. Numerous meetings have been held through the formal High Powered Committee (HPC) channel, its sub-committee, and multiple informal discussions with leaders,” the Ministry’s Wednesday statement affirmed.
“However, certain politically motivated individuals were displeased with the progress made under the HPC and have been attempting to obstruct the dialogue process,” it added.
The next meeting of the High Powered Committee is scheduled for October 6, with additional meetings planned for September 25 and 26 involving leaders from Ladakh.
Describing the events as heartbreaking, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta emphasized that while everyone has the right to peaceful expression in a democratic system, the recent events were not spontaneous but the result of a conspiracy. He vowed, “We will not spare those who have disrupted the atmosphere here.”
Curfew was imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent further casualties, he concluded.