Congress and Sonam Wangchuk collude to fuel unrest and mislead people of Ladakh: Read how talks with the Centre were kept under wraps

When Ladakh was conferred Union Territory status in August 2019, Sonam Wangchuk expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with folded hands. Now, the same person is urging individuals to resort to violence and pelt stones. Ladakh, a region renowned for its serene beauty is presently engulfed in turmoil, resulting in fatalities while the instigator retreated to his village as part of a meticulously orchestrated plot. Footage and images have surfaced showing a Congress councilor actively inciting individuals while brandishing weapons. In Ladakh, where the announcement of Union Territory status was celebrated on 5th August 2019, instances of stone-pelting and arson occurred on 24th September. Violent demonstrations erupted in Ladakh as citizens demanded full statehood. Four individuals lost their lives and many others sustained injuries during these protests. Protesters set fire to BJP offices and security vehicles and there were also accounts of stone-pelting in various locations. Sonam Wangchuk celebrated the formation of Union Territory (UT) Sonam Wangchuk plays a pivotal role in this violence which took place during his hunger strike. Alongside his supporters, he has been advocating for complete statehood for Ladakh. Currently, he is being accused of instigating this agitation despite having previously celebrated the establishment of the Union Territory (UT). On 5th August 2019, the central government repealed Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir, subsequently partitioning the region into two union territories. One was designated as Jammu and Kashmir while the other was named Ladakh. On that day, Sonam Wangchuk expressed his gratitude to the central government. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “fulfilling Ladakh’s longstanding dream.” He added, “It was exactly 30 years ago in August 1989 that Ladakhi leaders launched a movement for UT status. Thank you all who helped in this democratic decentralization.” THANK YOU PRIME MINISTERLadakh thanks @narendramodi @PMOIndiafor fulfilling Ladakh's longstanding dream. It was exactly 30 years ago in August 1989 that Ladakhi leaders launched a movement for UT status. Thank you all who helped in this democratic decentralization! pic.twitter.com/X7pmJ5zZin— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) August 5, 2019 Wangchuk was not the only individual rejoicing over Ladakh’s Union Territory status as organizations such as Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam also took part in the celebrations. On the fateful day the organization released a letter extending gratitude to PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the central government. Sonam Wangchuk personally shared this letter on his X account. Today, Leh is under the shadow of violence and flames but on 5th August 2019 the same place witnessed celebrations accompanied with singing and dancing as Ladakh was conferred the status of a Union Territory. #Ladakh to become Union territory without legislature; people celebrate in Leh Main Bazaar pic.twitter.com/dTWxYtHcDB— DD News (@DDNewslive) August 6, 2019 Quest for a Union Territory status for Ladakh has been vey long The residents of Ladakh who took to the streets in celebration during August 2019 did so for a significant reason. Indeed, the Modi administration had addressed their long-standing demand. In June 2019, prior to Ladakh being granted Union Territory status, the then BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal remarked, “The call for Ladakh to be separated from Jammu and Kashmir is not a recent phenomenon; the people of Ladakh have sought a distinct identity since 1948.” Namgyal’s assertion holds validity. In 1949, Chewang Rigzin, the Chairman of the Subject Committee of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), presented a memorandum to the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, advocating for “self-governance” for the people of Ladakh. A significant movement advocating for Union Territory status for Ladakh emerged in 1964. This initiative was spearheaded by the Buddhist saint and then-Chief Lama of Ladakh, Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. Nevertheless, the request for UT status was not fulfilled during this demonstration. In 1989, protests reignited, calling for UT status. The Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) presented a memorandum to the Government of India, reiterating their demand for autonomy for Ladakh. Additionally, the LBA organized a substantial rally to support this cause. In 1995, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) was formed to respond to this demand. LBA’s Leh Chalo rally in 1989 demanding UT status. Subsequently, protests advocating the demand persisted for numerous years. The central government was of the opinion that addressing the demands would necessitate an amendment to Article 370, a step that the Congress government was reluctant to undertake. In 2016, the All Religious Joint Action Committee (ARJAC), which had been advocating for a UT, adopted a resolution calling for the same for Ladakh. This