Amit Shah must resign’: Sonam Wangchuk marks one year of Ladakh violence

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday called for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, holding him responsible for the deaths of four protesters during police firing in Leh last year.

Wangchuk made the demand while addressing a gathering in Leh after a 20-km march marking the first anniversary of the September 24 violence. Four civilians were killed and 44 others injured when police opened fire after a protest over statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh turned violent.

“Amit Shah must resign and take responsibility,” Wangchuk told the gathering, describing the incident as a “massacre”.

Ladakh observed a shutdown on Thursday to mark the deaths and protest the police action. Wangchuk said the region’s movement had remained peaceful for years and questioned why violence had occurred in 2025.

He argued that the central government’s failure to provide the constitutional protections sought by Ladakh had been at the heart of the agitation.

Referring to the BJP’s 2020 election manifesto, Wangchuk said the party had promised protections for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. He alleged that the Centre later reversed its position and that protesters seeking implementation of the promise faced police action and criminal cases.

Wangchuk also referred to multiple rounds of talks between Ladakhi representatives and the Centre. He claimed that after two years and 15 rounds of discussions, Shah had made clear that the Sixth Schedule would not be extended to Ladakh.

He said the deaths last year were linked to what he described as the Centre’s failure to honour its earlier commitments.

The September 24, 2025 violence followed a protest demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. Wangchuk, who was on hunger strike at the time, was subsequently booked under the National Security Act and spent six months in custody in Jodhpur.

His latest remarks came amid renewed discussions between Ladakh representatives and the Centre on constitutional safeguards and greater democratic representation. Earlier this month, a Home Ministry sub-committee discussed a proposal involving the introduction of Article 371(K), which would provide additional protections for the region.

There has also been movement on another key demand from Ladakhi representatives. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced on Wednesday that criminal cases against 20 of the 87 people booked following last year’s violence would be withdrawn.

The withdrawal of cases has been among the demands raised during talks between Ladakhi representatives and the Centre.