Leh: Prominent Ladakhi educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk said on Wednesday that alleged actions against people in Ladakh had “gone beyond” those inflicted on Tibet, and demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah resign over the deaths of protesters during unrest last year.
Remarks at anniversary gathering in Leh
Wangchuk made the remarks while addressing a gathering at the NDS Stadium in Leh on the anniversary of the deaths of protesters during last year’s agitation. He referred to the Union Territory’s choice to join India as premised on the promise of democracy and a dignified life rather than fear.
“When we chose India, we didn’t choose it for fear. We chose it for being a democracy. Ladakh also had China as an option, which took Tibet. Ladakh chose India for a dignified life. Today, atrocities are committed in Ladakh that even China isn’t committing in Tibet. People are in fear in Ladakh,” Wangchuk said.
Wangchuk also called for the resignation of the Union Home Minister in connection with the deaths of four protesters last year, when security forces opened fire amid demonstrations. The unrest had been driven by demands including statehood and constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory, according to his remarks.
Context and the anniversary
The gathering at NDS Stadium marked the anniversary of the fatal incidents that occurred during the protests. Wangchuk’s speech reiterated concerns articulated by some local activists and residents after the events, including allegations of heavy-handed policing and calls for accountability.
Official statements from the Centre or the local administration responding to Wangchuk’s comparison and demand were not included in the report. Wangchuk concluded his address by saying he expected consequences for his remarks but was prepared to face them.
Local sentiment and political implications
Wangchuk is a well-known public figure in Ladakh whose comments attract wide attention locally and beyond. His comparison to Tibet — a sensitive geopolitical and human-rights topic — is likely to fuel debate within Ladakh and across political circles in the region. Demands for the resignation of a Union minister are political in nature and may provoke responses from political parties and government representatives.
Observers in Ladakh have for months raised a range of demands, including greater constitutional safeguards, statehood and protections for local identity and land rights. The four deaths during last year’s unrest remain a focal point for many activists and residents who seek inquiries and redress.
What is publicly known
- Event: Anniversary gathering at NDS Stadium, Leh.
- Speaker: Sonam Wangchuk, activist and educationist.
- Claims made: Comparison of alleged atrocities in Ladakh with those in Tibet; demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to step down over the protest deaths.
- Incident referenced: Deaths of four protesters during protests last year when security forces opened fire.
Official avenues and next steps
As of the report, there was no immediate official reply cited from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Union Government or the Ladakh administration to Wangchuk’s remarks or his call for the Home Minister’s resignation. Any formal actions resulting from the demands — such as inquiries, investigations, or political responses — would likely be communicated through official statements by the relevant authorities.
Wangchuk’s emphasis on the choice Ladakh made to join India — described by him as a choice for democratic rights and dignity — framed his criticisms of present conditions in the Union Territory. He warned of consequences for his statements but affirmed his readiness to face them, signalling a willingness to continue public advocacy on the matter.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | NDS Stadium, Leh |
| Speaker | Sonam Wangchuk |
| Incident referenced | Deaths of four protesters during last year’s unrest |
Any further reporting should seek formal responses from the Union Home Ministry, the Ladakh administration and other political parties for comment. Meanwhile, the remarks are likely to be discussed in local forums and could shape demands for investigations or political accountability in Ladakh.
