The unrest that rocked Ladakh, marked by the burning of the BJP office and the Ladakh Hill Council Secretariat, has been blamed on provocative speeches by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, with the BJP also accusing Congress councilor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag of participating in the violent mob. The government has vowed to take strict action, with an FIR filed against Tsepag for his alleged role in the violence and arson.

The unrest follows weeks of escalating tensions in Ladakh, fueled by demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards to protect the region’s land, culture, and resources. Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist, had been on a hunger strike for 15 days to press these demands, drawing significant local support.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has accused Wangchuk of inciting the violence through inflammatory rhetoric, including references to the Arab Spring and recent Gen Z protests in Nepal. The MHA claims that Wangchuk’s speeches motivated the mob to leave the hunger strike venue and attack political and government offices, including the office of the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) in Leh.

Wangchuk called off his hunger strike shortly after the violence erupted, but the government remains firm in its stance, alleging that his actions directly contributed to the chaos. “Despite repeated appeals from leaders to end the hunger strike, Wangchuk persisted, misleading people with provocative references to destabilizing protests,” the MHA stated. The ministry’s statement has drawn criticism from local leaders, who argue that the government is deflecting blame from its failure to address Ladakh’s long-standing grievances.

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The BJP has seized on the violence to point fingers at the Congress, releasing images allegedly showing councilor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag among the mob that attacked its office. Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, described the clashes as a “conspiracy” and promised swift action against all those involved. The police have since registered an FIR against Tsepag, accusing him of inciting violence and participating in arson.

Meanwhile, the Congress has yet to issue an official response to the allegations against Tsepag, but party leaders in the region have accused the BJP of using the violence to suppress legitimate demands for statehood. They argue that the government’s failure to engage meaningfully with Ladakh’s concerns has fueled public frustration, leading to the unrest.

In the wake of the violence, Kargil has also seen restrictions following a shutdown call in support of statehood and constitutional safeguards. The deployment of additional security forces underscores the government’s determination to prevent further escalation, but it has done little to address the underlying discontent. For many in Ladakh, the lack of political representation and safeguards for their land and culture remains a pressing issue, one that shows no signs of resolution.

As investigations into the violence continue, the region remains on edge, with both sides digging in. The government’s focus on Wangchuk and Tsepag as instigators has sparked debate about whether the blame lies with individual actors or with systemic failures in addressing Ladakh’s demands. For now, the people of Ladakh await answers, both on the streets and at the negotiating table.

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