Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Sonam Wangchuk Demands Shah’s Resignation Over Leh Violence
Sonam Wangchuk is an activist from Ladakh who criticized the government.
He said he fears he could be killed in an encounter because of his statements.
He wants Home Minister Amit Shah to resign over violence in Leh.
Four people died during protests about Ladakh’s political demands in September 2025.
Wangchuk said security forces used powerful guns against people who were not armed.
He also said the violence may have been planned to create tension between Muslims and Buddhists.
The government ordered an inquiry, but its report has not been made public according to the articles.
Wangchuk said he may create a people’s tribunal if the report is not released.
Ladakh Police denied stopping people from attending the memorial event and said barricades were used for traffic and crowd management.
Sonam Wangchuk said he fears being killed in an “encounter” after criticizing the government’s handling of Ladakh.
He demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation and accountability for four deaths during September 24, 2025, violence in Leh.
Wangchuk alleged that security forces used automatic weapons against unarmed protesters and that officials later faced pressure over firing orders.
He demanded publication of a judicial inquiry report and threatened to establish an independent people’s tribunal if it remains unreleased.
Ladakh Police rejected claims that security measures restricted attendance, saying fewer than 800 people attended an approved commemoration at NDS ground.
- Who
- Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ladakh residents, security forces and Ladakh Police are central to the reports.
- What
- Wangchuk demanded Shah’s resignation, alleged wrongdoing in the September 2025 Leh violence and said he feared being killed in an encounter.
- When
- The statements were made around the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025 violence; a shutdown occurred on the anniversary and a commemoration was held the following day according to the reports.
- Where
- Leh and other parts of Ladakh, including Kargil; the approved public meeting was held at NDS ground in Leh.
- Why
- Wangchuk said authorities must be held accountable for four deaths and accused the Centre of failing to fulfill promises concerning statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards.
Wangchuk’s allegations
Ladakh Police’s response
Access to commemoration
Wangchuk’s allegations
Wangchuk said barricades, armed personnel and restrictions discouraged village representatives and students from attending, contributing to low participation.
Ladakh Police’s response
Ladakh Police called the allegations false, baseless and misleading, saying no one was stopped and that barricades were used for traffic and crowd management.
Use of force
Wangchuk’s allegations
Wangchuk alleged that unarmed protesters were fired upon indiscriminately with automatic weapons, including AK-47s, and that three magistrates refused to sign firing orders before allegedly facing pressure.
Ladakh Police’s response
The police response described in the articles did not directly address those specific allegations; the judicial inquiry was ordered to examine the police action and the deaths.
Cause and accountability
Wangchuk’s allegations
Wangchuk linked the violence to unfulfilled promises on statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards, alleged a conspiracy to provoke Muslim-Buddhist tensions and demanded Shah’s resignation.
Ladakh Police’s response
The reports provide no detailed government response to those claims, but authorities ordered a judicial inquiry into the circumstances of the violence.
- Main speaker
- Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist from Ladakh
- Deaths
- Four people died during security-force firing amid protests in Leh on September 24, 2025
- Political demand
- Wangchuk called for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation
- Judicial inquiry
- The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered an inquiry headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice B S Chauhan
- Wangchuk’s proposal
- He threatened to establish an independent people’s tribunal if the inquiry report is not made public
- Commemoration venue
- The Ladakh Buddhist Association received permission to hold a public meeting at NDS ground in Leh, which police said has capacity for 10,000 people
- Attendance
- Ladakh Police said fewer than 800 people attended the approved event
- Legal development
- The Ladakh lieutenant governor withdrew cases against protesters accused of rioting, attacking security forces and damaging government property
Sources
Sonam Wangchuk fears he might be killed in 'encounter'
Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Amit Shah's Resignation Over Leh Violence, Fears Being Killed In 'Encounter'
"Nation Will Awaken": Sonam Wangchuk Claims He May Be Killed In Encounter