‘Even China Isn’t Doing This To Tibet’: Sonam Wangchuk Draws Stark Ladakh Comparison

Last Updated:September 25, 2026, 12:22 AM IST

Wangchuk also called for Home Minister Amit Shah to step down over the killings in Ladakh that happened last year

While ending his address with a warning that he expected consequences for his remarks, Wangchuk said he was prepared to face them. (File pic/PTI)

Drawing a stark comparison between Ladakh and Tibet, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday said people in Ladakh were facing atrocities that, according to him, had gone beyond what China was inflicting on Tibet. He also called for Home Minister Amit Shah to step down over the killings in Ladakh that happened last year.

Addressing a gathering at NDS Stadium in Leh on the anniversary of the deaths of protesters during last year’s unrest, Wangchuk said Ladakh had chosen to become part of India because it offered the promise of democracy and a dignified life, rather than out of fear.

“When we chose India, we didn’t choose it for fear. We chose it for being a democracy,” Wangchuk said. “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 was referring to the deaths of four protesters during last year’s agitation in Ladakh, when security forces opened fire amid demonstrations over demands including statehood and constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.

Wangchuck alleged that the protesters had been fired upon without a firing order and questioned the need for the use of live ammunition. He alleged that the protesters were shot with automatic weapons and said the injuries were inconsistent with the use of less-lethal ammunition. “They were shot in their head, chest, back and head. They were pellets which would injure you, but live automatic weapons like AK-47 on Gen-Z,” he said.

The climate activist, who also played a major role in the Jantar Mantar protests, raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the firing and claimed that three magistrates refused to issue orders authorising the use of force. “There were three magistrates and all were Muslims who refused to give firing orders. There was no need to fire,” he said.

He alleged that the magistrates were subsequently pressured and threatened to sign firing orders but refused. Wangchuk questioned why all three magistrates were Muslims, while stressing that the matter should be investigated rather than treated as established fact. Addressing the gathering, he alleged that there was an attempt to create communal tension between Buddhists and Muslims and suggested that the magistrates could have been made scapegoats for the killings.

“Do you know why they were Muslims? People here believe an investigation should be done,” he said. “The impression of people here is that attempts were being made to make Buddhist-Muslim riots and, in that scheme of things, they wanted to make Muslim magistrates sign the firing order so that people say they let people get killed,” he said.

‘All the blame is on Amit Shah’

Wangchuk also returned to the long-standing demand for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, particularly the Sixth Schedule, and recalled meetings with the BJP-led government.

He alleged that Ladakh’s representatives had initially been called to New Delhi at their own expense and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ruled out extending Sixth Schedule protections to the region.

“When our leaders were called to New Delhi at their own expense initially, Amit Shah told them, ‘We wouldn’t give you Sixth Schedule.’ He even said, ‘Even if PM gives it in writing, still I wouldn’t give you,’” Wangchuk claimed.

He said the alleged reversal of promises made during elections had driven people to take to the streets. “Because of backtracking on their promise of Sixth Schedule during elections, we had to hit the streets. All the blame is on Amit Shah,” he said.

Wangchuk, however, said his criticism was not limited to one political party. He also called for Shah to step down over the killings in Ladakh while raising slogans. “Amit Shah must resign and take responsibility for killings of youth of Ladakh,” Wangchuk said.

While ending his address with a warning that he expected consequences for his remarks, the activist said he was prepared to face them. “Don’t play politics of fear. PM and HM are father-like for us. I know I will face consequences after this, but they’ve done enough enquiries. Now only my encounter is left,” he added.

Claiming that experts had warned him that he could be targeted, Wangchuk said he was prepared for such a possibility. “Experts tell me your encounter will happen and let it happen. That’s my last wish now so that the nation awakens,” he said.

Wangchuk also challenged claims surrounding damage to government property during the unrest. He alleged that expensive items had been removed from the office before the violence and that furniture and curtains were subsequently burnt.

“All the expensive items from the office were removed. Chairs and curtains were burnt and they claimed there was a threat to life, hence firing needed to be opened,” he said.

His remarks come amid continuing demands for clarity over the circumstances that led to the deaths and the events surrounding the violence.

About the Author

Ieshan Wani

Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro…Read More

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