Ladakh protests: Sonam Wangchuk calls govt's 'scapegoat tactic' a diversion from root issues

Leh: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday strongly dismissed the Union Home Ministry’s allegation that he instigated the recent violent protests in Ladakh, calling the charge a “scapegoat tactic” meant to divert attention from the region’s deep-rooted issues. Wangchuk accused the government of avoiding the real problems that have fueled unrest in the Himalayan territory.

“To say it was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere,” he said. “They may be clever in making somebody else a scapegoat, but they are not wise. At this time, we all need wisdom rather than ‘cleverness’ because youths are already frustrated,” Wangchuk told PTI.

Wangchuk expressed readiness to face arrest under the stringent Public Safety Act, predicting that the government is building a case to detain him. “I see they are building up a case to bring me under the PSA and throw me in jail for two years,” he said, adding, “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.”

Centre’s Allegations of Financial Irregularities

Simultaneously, the Centre has initiated a probe into alleged financial irregularities involving Wangchuk’s nonprofit organisations. Sources reveal these organisations reportedly violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), including receiving foreign funds without proper licenses and failing to declare multiple bank accounts and donations. Donations to HIAL surged from ₹6 crore in 2023-24 to over ₹15 crore in 2024-25, with unexplained transfers and possible diversion to personal accounts.

Context: The Movement and the Violence

Wangchuk has been leading a peaceful agitation demanding statehood for Ladakh and the inclusion of the region under the constitutional Sixth Schedule—provisions that provide tribal autonomy and environmental safeguards. What began as a prolonged hunger strike escalated into widespread protests led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which culminated in violent clashes on Wednesday.

The unrest saw four people lose their lives, and over 80 people were injured, including 40 police personnel. Protesters set fire to a BJP party office, a police vehicle, and several private cars, triggering a stringent curfew across Leh district.

Root Causes: Youth Frustration and Unmet Demands

The activist pointed to long-standing grievances, especially among Ladakh’s youth, citing six years of unemployment and unfulfilled promises as the real drivers of the protests. He accused the government of misleading the public by highlighting partial successes in job reservations while ignoring key demands like statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.

Government’s Position and Next Steps

The Union Home Ministry, while condemning the violence, reiterated ongoing dialogue efforts with Ladakhi leaders through the High Powered Committee. It accused Wangchuk of making “provocative statements” that incited the mob and blamed certain “politically motivated” individuals for sabotaging dialogue progress.

The government pledged not to tolerate violence and announced plans for more talks in late September and early October. Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta described the violence as a premeditated conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace, warning of stern action against culprits.

Appeal for Peace

Wangchuk appealed to Ladakh’s people to maintain peace and harmony, urging them not to fall prey to agitators seeking to disrupt social cohesion. With fresh dialogue scheduled, hopes remain that a sustainable resolution to the region’s political status and economic woes may be found.

With inputs from PTI