Wangchuk faces Tibetan backlash over Ladakh-Tibet comparison, issues apology

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday apologised to the Tibetan community after the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) objected to his comparison of the situation in Ladakh with the repression faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule.

The apology came shortly after the CTA expressed “deep concern” over Wangchuk’s remarks, terming the comparison “misplaced and inaccurate” and asserting that his comments did not reflect the situation inside Tibet.

The CTA, in a statement issued through its official spokesperson Tenzin Lekshay, said the comparison was “misplaced and inaccurate” and stressed that the situation in Tibet involved decades of repression, restrictions on religious freedom and measures affecting its distinct cultural identity.

While addressing a “martyrs Rally” in Leh on 24 September to mark the killing of four civilians in police firing last year, Wangchuk accused the authorities of inflicting atrocities on Ladakhi people that even surpass China’s action in Tibet. He also sought resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for the police action in Leh.

The official spokesman of CTA, Tenzin Lekshay, reacted to Wangchuk’s remarks by issuing a statement saying “The Central Tibetan Administration expresses deep concern over remarks made by Sonam Wangchuk in his recent public speech in Ladakh, in which he compared the situation in Ladakh with that of inside Tibet. CTA considers such a comparison misplaced and inaccurate. His statement doesn’t reflect the real situation inside Tibet. Tibet continues to remain under China’s authoritarian rule, where Tibetans face systematic repression of their fundamental rights, religious freedom; and intensification of measures aimed at erasing its distinct cultural identity”.

Thereafter, Wangchuk apologised to the Tibetan community after the CTA distanced itself from his statement.

Wangchuk released a video and also wrote on X “I see many of our Tibetan friends are disturbed by this comparison. First of all I was only comparing a specific incident on a particular day and of course not with decades of sufferings that Tibetan people have gone through. Secondly I have no intentions whatsoever to cause any hurt to anyone least my dear Tibetan friends… I only wanted to show the gravity of what Leh Ladakh went through on that particular day… and if that has hurt anyone, I deeply apologise from the core of my heart”.

Minutes before seeking apology, Wangchuk had in a separate post on X written “Some people have asked me if it’s appropriate to compare the September 24th brutal killings in Leh last year with Chinese repression in Tibet!”

“I don’t blame them for they don’t know what happened that day in Leh as there was a total internet blackout for weeks. I understand the sufferings of Tibetan friends & have always opposed Chinese repression, but if you had seen what people in Leh went through on that unfortunate day, you might not disagree”.

“Although Ladakh has always been happy & prosperous in India, the last six years have been different & last year was the worst…”, Wangchuk wrote.

“In a small town of 20,000 people four killed brutally, one suicide, 80 injured, 75 arrested with charges like attempt to murder. And it was all done without any firing orders in what’s believed to be a stage managed violence”.

“While in Delhi the parliament came to a halt demanding Amit Shah’s resignation for use of pallet guns and lathi charge at Jantar Mantar… Shouldn’t he resign for this?”, Wangchuk questioned.

Meanwhile, several Tibetan organisations and individuals have criticised Wangchuk’s statement.

General secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress Tenzin Lobsang said that “Wangchuk’s campaign for attention appears to rely on misleading narratives and unsubstantiated claims by disinforming the people of Ladakh and unfairly portraying India”.

Lobsang also wrote on X “He is well educated & understands the complexities of the Tibet issue. That is why it is concerning when his statements appear to narrow or minimise the issue. @Wangchuk66 is an opportunist. We must counter his campaign of disinformation to manipulate the innocent Ladakh people”.