‘Provocative’: Government Accuses Sonam Wangchuk of Threatening Self-Immolation Over Ladakh Statehood Demand
Prominent Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk has stirred controversy with a video message in which he purportedly expresses readiness to sacrifice his life — including through self-immolation — if the Union government does not grant statehood to Ladakh and include it under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
In the video, released two months ago, Wangchuk claimed Ladakhis are angered by the region’s 15-year domicile policy. He urged the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to write to the Centre seeking clarity on whether statehood or Sixth Schedule status would be discussed in upcoming talks. He alleged that without the Sixth Schedule, Ladakh’s tribals could be reduced to a minority “like in Tripura.”
Top government sources have described Wangchuk’s recent statements as “increasingly provocative,” warning that they could be exploited by hostile nations. They said the activist has been trying to draw parallels with protests in Tibet, even encouraging supporters to consider self-immolation or hunger strikes at symbolic locations such as the home minister’s residence, Parliament, or the UN office in New York.
The sources also accused Wangchuk of exploiting Ladakh’s strategic location near sensitive borders, claiming he is positioning himself as the face of the agitation following Thustan Tsewang’s resignation.
Wangchuk has further alleged harassment, saying two major projects for his Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) — worth Rs 10 crore by GAIL and Rs 4 crore by Coal India — were cancelled under government pressure.
Ladakh Statehood Protests Intensify
The controversy comes amid renewed agitation by the KDA and LAB, who jointly staged a three-day hunger strike in Kargil demanding statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, a Public Service Commission, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil. The strike culminated in a massive rally on Monday, led by leaders such as LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay, KDA co-chairmen Asgar Ali Karbalai and Qamar Ali Akhoon, and Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa Jan.
Thousands marched through Kargil, raising slogans like “Hindustan Zindabad” and “Hum bheek nahi, apna haq maangte” (We do not beg, we demand our rights). Leaders accused the Centre of “delaying tactics” despite promising fresh talks within a month after their last meeting in May.
“This is a historic rally and a powerful message that the people of Ladakh are united,” Dorjay said, warning that protests would spread to every corner of the region if talks are stalled. Karbalai added that the core group would meet soon to decide the next course of action.
