Did Sonam Wangchuk Say Ladakh Residents Would Allow Chinese Incursion?

Fact Check/Verification

On carefully analysing the viral clip, we heard Wangchuk saying, “There is a famous comedian here who said, ‘when China invades, the people of Ladakh sacrifice their lives to stop them. But now, if the Indian government isn’t doing anything for us, then the next time they come, we’ll show them the way..’”

This clearly demonstrates  that he was quoting a local comedian and did not make the statement himself.

A  reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral clip led us to a longer version of the viral video uploaded on Wangchuk’s Instagram profile on March 12, 2024.

In the full video, Wangchuk is seen giving an update on the seventh day of his hunger strike. He begins by greeting supporters and describing the conditions: despite heavy snowfall, hundreds of people, including students from Ladakh University, lawyers from the Bar Association, monks, nuns, and ex-servicemen, had gathered to join him.

He goes on to recount the sentiments expressed by the crowd, noting their “anger, frustration, and helplessness.” 

He says, “A retired soldier even said that he fought in several wars with Pakistan and that he saw that the civilian volunteers from Ladakh, the volunteers who went to the battlefields without any pay, carrying ammunition, were even better than the soldiers…So, such capable people from Ladakh are there in these mountains. And what to say about the Ladakh Scouts.”

Wangchuk then quotes a local comedian and says, “There’s a famous comedian here who said that ‘when China invades, the people of Ladakh sacrifice their lives to stop them. But now, if the Indian government isn’t doing anything for us, then the next time they come, we’ll show them the way. We won’t stop them. Why should we sacrifice our lives when we’re not protected?’ “

“And then he’s questioned by the police about how he said this. I think it’s better to solve the problem rather than saying ‘Don’t kill the messenger.’ They’re just venting their frustration; it would be better if you solve the problem. The government should take all this seriously. Alienation and frustration among the people of Ladakh is not good for India,” he further says. 

He concludes, “…In light of all this, if in a future war people show less enthusiasm or do not volunteer, the government will be to blame. I hope the government never lets that happen and fulfills the promises it has made. The people of Ladakh will, as always, continue to defend India like soldiers. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat.”

The video was also shared on his official YouTube channel on March 12, 2024.

For context, Sonam Wangchuk had begun his hunger strike on March 6, 2024, after talks with the central government over Ladakh’s demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards failed. The movement, led by the Leh Apex Body, saw wide participation across the region. Wangchuk ended his fast on March 26, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to meet Ladakh’s demands.

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