New Delhi: The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Friday expressed its dissent over climate and social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s comparison between Ladakh and Tibet, calling his remarks “misplaced and inaccurate”.
Wangchuk made the remarks on Thursday at an event in Leh commemorating the four civilians killed a year ago, on 24 September 2025, during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and Sixth Schedule safeguards. Drawing a parallel between Ladakh and Tibet, he said the oppression being faced by Ladakhis in India was, in his view, worse than what China was inflicting on Tibetans. He also said Ladakhis had chosen India because it was a democracy.
“Ladakh had China on one side and India on the other. Ladakh chose India because we believed that in India, there is democracy, we would be able to live with our heads held high,” Wangchuk said. “And today, such oppression is being inflicted on Ladakh that, in my view, even China is not doing this to Tibet.”
Condemning the remarks, CTA spokesperson Tenzin Lakshay wrote on X: “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.”
He added that Wangchuk’s statement did not reflect the situation in Tibet.
Wangchuk reacts with a video
Soon after, Wangchuk posted a lengthy message on X, with a video showing alleged brutality by the forces, referring to his hunger strike and the 2025 Leh violence.
“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,” he wrote. “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.”
He further said that though Ladakh has always been happy and prosperous in India, the last six years have been different and “last year was the worst”.
“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 (sic) and lathi charge at Jantar Mantar… Shouldn’t he resign for this? You can watch this clip of police brutality on people sitting on peaceful hunger strike. Rest I leave it to viewers to decide…”
This report has been updated to incorporate an X post by Wangchuk.
(Edited by Chingkheinganbi Mayengbam)
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