Sonam Wangchuk demands Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over Ladakh violence

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's removal from office. Citing his alleged role in the deadly violence in Ladakh that claimed the lives of four civilians during a police crackdown last September. Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike at the time, has been organizing rallies to commemorate the victims.

This includes a 20-km march held on September 24, 2024.

Wangchuk said: "Amit Shah must resign and take responsibility for the massacre in Ladakh. He will have to take responsibility for these deaths. Amit Shah must resign".

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Wangchuk praised the Ladakh residents for their unwavering commitment to the nation. This highlights their unrelenting efforts to bring about change without resorting to military attire. He noted that these individuals were coerced into advocating for their rights, and the movement remained remarkably peaceful for six years.

In 2025, Wangchuk wondered aloud about the necessity of resorting to violence in the pursuit of justice.

Wangchuk highlighted that the root cause of the agitation in Ladakh is the Centre’s overturning of its promise to provide Ladakh protections under the Sixth Schedule. "If they had kept their word on this, then would we continue our agitation for all this time?

These (four) deaths occurred due to them betraying their promises," Wangchuk told the crowds at the NDS Sports Complex in Leh.

Violence erupted in Leh on September 24. 2024, during a protest for Ladakh's statehood and Sixth Schedule, leaving four demonstrators dead and 44 wounded. The police response, which included live firing, sparked widespread outrage.

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Wangchuk, who had been on hunger strike at the time, was subsequently arrested and charged under the National Security Act, facing a six-month detention in Jodhpur jail.

As the Centre pushes for a constitutional amendment, Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has cleared the decks, withdrawing cases against 20 individuals out of 87 who were arrested following a recent incident. The move comes on the heels of a sub-committee meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

There, Article 371(K) was proposed as a safeguard for Ladakh's democratic representation and constitutional protections. The proposal has been met with anticipation, following a period of heightened tensions in the region.