Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Sonam Wangchuk Faces CTA Backlash Over Ladakh-Tibet Comparison
Ladakh held rallies and shutdowns to remember four people who died during protests a year earlier.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said India was treating Ladakhis worse than China was treating Tibetans.
He said Ladakh had chosen India because it believed democracy would protect its people.
The Central Tibetan Administration disagreed and called his comparison inaccurate.
Wangchuk blamed Amit Shah and Tashi Gyalson for the situation.
He also said security forces had fired at unarmed protesters.
He claimed there was an attempt to create conflict between Buddhist and Muslim communities.
The inquiry into the deaths had not yet released its report, according to Wangchuk.
Sonam Wangchuk said Ladakhis faced oppression worse than Tibetans under China during a first-anniversary event in Leh.
The Central Tibetan Administration called Wangchuk’s comparison between Ladakh and Tibet “misplaced and inaccurate.”
Wangchuk accused Amit Shah and Tashi Gyalson of responsibility for the previous year’s killings and alleged authorities tried to provoke Buddhist-Muslim unrest.
He alleged security forces indiscriminately shot unarmed protesters, killing four civilians, while both Leh and Kargil observed shutdowns and rallies.
Wangchuk said the 2025 protests followed the Centre’s alleged reversal of promises, including Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakhis.
- Who
- Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Central Tibetan Administration, Ladakh residents, security forces, Amit Shah, and Tashi Gyalson.
- What
- Ladakh marked the first anniversary of the deaths of four civilians, while Wangchuk criticized the Centre and compared Ladakh’s treatment with Tibet’s treatment under China.
- When
- On Thursday, 24 September 2025, the first anniversary of the killings.
- Where
- Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, India.
- Why
- The protests and shutdowns were linked to demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule safeguards, and opposition to what Wangchuk described as the Centre’s reversal of earlier promises.
Wangchuk’s allegations
Central Tibetan Administration’s response
Ladakh-Tibet comparison
Wangchuk’s allegations
Wangchuk said oppression faced by Ladakhis in India was worse than what China was doing to Tibetans.
Central Tibetan Administration’s response
The Central Tibetan Administration rejected the comparison as “misplaced and inaccurate.”
Responsibility for the unrest
Wangchuk’s allegations
Wangchuk blamed Amit Shah and Tashi Gyalson for the situation and alleged that authorities sought to provoke Buddhist-Muslim conflict.
Central Tibetan Administration’s response
The CTA’s statement criticized Wangchuk’s comparison but did not endorse his allegations about the killings or unrest.
Cause of the protests
Wangchuk’s allegations
Wangchuk said the protests resulted from the Centre allegedly backing away from promises to provide Ladakhis Sixth Schedule protection.
Central Tibetan Administration’s response
The articles do not provide a separate explanation from the Central Tibetan Administration for the protests’ cause.
- Protest anniversary
- The event marked one year since four civilians were killed during protests.
- Main speaker
- Climate and social activist Sonam Wangchuk.
- CTA response
- The Central Tibetan Administration called the Ladakh-Tibet comparison “misplaced and inaccurate.”
- Locations
- Leh and Kargil, Ladakh.
- Wangchuk’s allegations
- He accused authorities of indiscriminate firing, coercion, and attempts to provoke Buddhist-Muslim unrest.
- Political demand
- Protection for Ladakhis under the Sixth Schedule, along with statehood demands.
- Inquiry status
- Wangchuk said the commission investigating the killings had not submitted its report.
