Sonam Wangchuk urges peace as Ladakh protests for statehood and Sixth Schedule turn violent in Leh with clashes
Activist Sonam Wangchuk calls for peace after hundreds of demonstrators in Leh clashed with police over the demand for independence.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) September 24: Sonam Wangchuk has long advocated for Ladakh to become a state. He called on people to put an end to the violence. Sonam claims it undermines the cause.
Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike Amid Escalating Violence
Amid the violence in Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk called off his 15-day hunger strike on Wednesday. He was organizing the demonstration for the expansion of the Sixth Schedule and Ladakh's statehood. However, the campaign took a violent turn when a huge number of people turned to destruction and arson in the streets of Leh.
He posts, "My message of a peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause," on social media platform X.
Wangchuk also requests for peace. He says "I request the youth to stop arson and clashes. We are ending our fast, and I urge the administration to stop using tear gas. No hunger strike succeeds if lives are lost in violence.”
He also says to PTI, "The violence overpowered our peaceful protest, just in one day, it looks like failing. The political parties here are incompetent, they don't have the capability to give direction to youths. People are angered.”
The protest was called by the youth wing of the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB). This is after two of the 15 individuals who had been on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10 were taken to a hospital on Tuesday night. A number of young people also threw stones at the BJP and Hill Council buildings.
Omar Abdullah Links Ladakh Unrest to Kashmir’s Unmet Statehood Promise
Omar Adbullah is the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He attempts to highlight his government's demand by referring to the "anger" of the people of Ladakh. He claims that the people of Kashmir felt deceived because they had been promised statehood.
He posts, "Ladakh wasn’t even promised Statehood, they celebrated UT status in 2019 & they feel betrayed & angry. Now try to imagine how betrayed & disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood to J&K remains unfulfilled even though we have gone about demanding it democratically, peacefully & responsibly," on X.
BJP Blames Congress Leaders for Instigating Violence in Protests
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey asserts that the protest was organized by Congress Gen Z leader Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag.
He says, “A fire was set at @BJP4India office in Ladakh, @RahulGandhi ji, its leader is your GEN Z, Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, who is an elected ward member from the @INCIndia party. Will it be the consequence of playing with fire? Stop challenging BJP workers.”
BJP Politician Amit Malviya criticizes Rahul Gandhi for "fantasizing about unrest". He charges the Congress with "rioting" in Ladakh.
He posts, "This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward. He can be clearly seen instigating the mob and participating in violence that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council. Is this the kind of unrest Rahul Gandhi has been fantasising about?”
Both the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the Leh Apex Body are coming together to present their demands to the Central government. They represent various social and political parties.
