'Blaming me for violence scapegoat tactic': Sonam Wangchuk as he accused govt of misleading people
PTC News Desk: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday dismissed the Home Ministry’s allegation that he incited the recent violent protests in Ladakh, calling it a “scapegoat tactic” meant to sidestep the region’s real issues. Responding to the MHA statement that blamed him for the unrest, Wangchuk said he is ready to face arrest under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
“To say it was triggered by me, or sometimes by the Congress, is just scapegoating instead of tackling the real problem, and this approach will take us nowhere,” he said. Wangchuk, who has been at the forefront of a peaceful movement demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, also voiced concern about his personal safety.
Meanwhile the central government had said that the negotiation were going ongoing between the government and representatives in Ladakh and Kargil, which had positive outcomes and the next round of talks were scheduled on October 6.
The statehood agitation turned violent in Leh on Wednesday, leading to arson, street clashes, and the worst unrest the region has seen since 1989. Four people were killed and around 80 injured, including 40 policemen, according to officials.
Wangchuk said the violence stemmed from deep-rooted frustration, especially among Ladakh’s youth, citing “six years of unemployment and broken promises at every step” as the underlying cause.
He accused the government of misleading the public by showcasing limited job reservations as a success, while ignoring the central demands—statehood and Sixth Schedule protections to safeguard Ladakh’s tribal identity and fragile ecology—that remain unfulfilled despite five years of peaceful campaigning.
According to him, by resorting to “scapegoating,” the government is not working towards peace but instead worsening the situation by deflecting attention from the core demands.
After what officials described as the worst day of violence in decades, Wangchuk ended his two-week hunger strike pushing for statehood and Sixth Schedule status, while authorities imposed a curfew across Leh district.
- With inputs from agencies
