Sonam Wangchuk Accuses Indian Government of Betraying Ladakh

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk accused the Indian government of betraying the people of Ladakh after a scheduled October 22 meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs failed to materialize. Wangchuk, representing the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, stated that the ministry proposed the meeting and requested representatives travel to New Delhi, only for officials to claim they had no knowledge of the appointment upon their arrival.

This breakdown follows a series of failed negotiations. While both sides exchanged draft proposals after an October 15 meeting in Leh, regional representatives rejected the central government's offer, claiming it fell short of expectations. Wangchuk and legal advisor Vikram Hegde argued that the government's proposed sui generis model under Article 371 is weaker than previous Hill Council structures. Representatives further alleged that the ministry backtracked on agreements made in May.

Wangchuk is demanding that Ladakh be granted Union Territory status with an elected legislature and constitutional safeguards. He criticized the authority of the Lieutenant Governor as resembling a British-era viceroy and warned that alienating the local population weakens national security along the strategic border with China. The Ladakh administration, via Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, has stated that statehood and a legislature are not on the government's agenda.