Calls on Citizen to Protect Land, Identity and Environment
Accuses BJP-Led Admn of Betrayal; Sidelining Local Leadership
Yash Khajuria
Leh, Sept 10: Innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk today launched a sharp critique of the Government of India, accusing the BJP-led administration of betraying the people of Ladakh by denying constitutional safeguards promised twice in its election manifestos. Speaking at the Sarv Dharm Prarthna Sabha organised by the Apex Body Leh, Wangchuk said the Union Government has failed to uphold Sixth Schedule protections, leaving Ladakhis vulnerable on issues of land, identity, and governance.
A leading advocate of Ladakh’s Four-Point Agenda, Wangchuk alleged that the government has resorted to intimidation to suppress his peaceful activism. He claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation had raided his assets and that he had received summons from the Income Tax Department, despite being the only taxpayer in a region constitutionally exempt from taxation. “It is absurd that while most citizens face summons for tax evasion, I am being targeted for paying tax where exemptions have been explicitly provided,” he said.
Wangchuk also criticized the Ministry of Home Affairs for repeatedly ignoring Ladakhi leadership. He recalled the Delhi Chalo Yatra, during which Ladakhis from all walks of life—including youth, women, the elderly, and ex-servicemen—traversed thousands of kilometres demanding a resumption of dialogue. “Despite our peaceful mobilization, the MHA has chosen to sideline our leaders and bypass meaningful engagement,” he said, adding that the government had explicitly barred him from participating in talks with the High-Powered Committee appointed by the MHA.
Announcing a 35-day hunger strike beginning today, Wangchuk appealed to all sections of society to unite and support the movement peacefully and resolutely. He stressed that the struggle is apolitical, aimed solely at protecting Ladakh’s identity, land, and developmental interests. Addressing the crowd, he urged Ladakhis to come together across political and social lines to safeguard the region’s future. His appeal has already drawn attention from more than 25 media outlets beyond the Union Territory, as well as support from diverse religious communities within Ladakh.
Linking the current struggle to historical battles, Wangchuk evoked Ladakh’s fight to protect its identity during the 1930 Dogra invasion and the uncertainties surrounding the 1947 partition. He warned that the present generation would be judged by future citizens for either their courage or complacency.
Highlighting ongoing administrative pressures, Wangchuk condemned actions by investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and CBI, calling them attempts to intimidate activists and weaken Ladakh’s resolve. He urged citizens not to fear arrests or false cases, describing such efforts as counterproductive and damaging to the region’s ethos of peaceful resistance.
Education and development were another focal point of his address. Wangchuk questioned the progress on promised institutions, including Sindhu University, engineering colleges, and medical colleges, stating that announcements had yet to materialize into tangible outcomes. He strongly condemned attempts to seize land from educational institutions like the Himalayan Institute of Arts and Learning (HAIL), terming such moves a direct threat to Ladakh’s future.
Reiterating that defending Ladakh’s land, identity, and ecological heritage is a collective moral duty, Wangchuk said, “All I have to lose is Ladakh,” urging residents to rise in unity during what he called the Union Territory’s most critical moment. His hunger strike marks a dramatic escalation in Ladakh’s ongoing struggle for constitutional safeguards, regional autonomy, and the protection of its fragile environment.
On governance and accountability, Wangchuk highlighted issues of corruption, misuse of funds, and inconsistent tax policies. Stressing that his activism is apolitical, he welcomed support from all political parties, including the Congress and BJP, provided it aligns with Ladakh’s core demands.
