Leh: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday warned that his imprisonment could create more problems for the government than his freedom, calling the Home Ministry’s blame of him for recent violent protests in Ladakh a “scapegoat tactic.”
Responding to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ statement, which accused him of provoking Wednesday’s mob violence, Wangchuk said he is prepared to face arrest under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
“I see they are building a case to bring me under the PSA and keep me in jail for two years,” he said over the phone. “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than Sonam Wangchuk free.”
He added, “To claim that the violence was instigated by me—or sometimes by Congress—is merely finding a scapegoat instead of addressing the real issues. This will lead nowhere. They may be clever in blaming someone else, but they are not wise. At this moment, wisdom is needed, because youths are already frustrated.”
Wangchuk attributed the unrest to long-standing grievances, particularly among the region’s unemployed youth, saying the real cause is “six years of frustration and unfulfilled promises at every level.” He accused the government of misleading the public with claims of partial success on job reservations, while key demands—Statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule to protect tribal status and the fragile environment—remain “unaddressed after five years of peaceful appeals.”
He said the government’s “scapegoat tactic” does not promote peace but instead risks aggravating the situation by diverting attention from the people’s core demands.
The movement for Ladakh statehood, led by Wangchuk, turned violent in Leh on Wednesday, with arson and street clashes leaving four dead and at least 80 injured, including 40 police personnel, officials said. Wangchuk called off his fortnight-long hunger strike as authorities imposed a curfew across Leh.
Earlier, groups of youths set fire to vehicles and vandalized the BJP and Hill Council headquarters. Police and paramilitary forces deployed in strength resorted to teargas to bring the situation under control, officials said.
The Union Home Ministry, in a statement, alleged that the violence was fueled by “provocative statements” from Wangchuk and certain “politically motivated” individuals unhappy with ongoing talks between government representatives and Ladakhi groups. The Ministry noted that, aside from early incidents on Wednesday, the situation was brought under control by 4 pm, and it urged the public not to circulate old or provocative videos on social media.
The statement highlighted ongoing engagement by the Government of India with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, through formal High Powered Committee (HPC) channels, sub-committees, and informal meetings. “However, certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress under HPC and have been trying to sabotage the dialogue process,” it said. The next HPC meeting is scheduled for October 6, with additional meetings planned on September 25 and 26.
Describing the violence as heart-wrenching, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta said, “Everyone has the right to speak up peacefully in a democratic system, but what happened was not spontaneous and was the result of a conspiracy. We will not spare those who spoiled the atmosphere.” Curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent further casualties.
