NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday called off his 15-day hunger strike demanding statehood for the Union Territory of Ladakh, following violent protests that broke out in the region’s capital, Leh , news agency PTI reported.
"VERY SAD EVENTS IN LEH: My message of peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause," Wangchuk posted on X along with a video message.
"Friends, it is extremely sad that today, on day 15 of our protest, Leh witnessed violence on a massive scale. Yesterday, out of those who had been fasting for 35 days, two had to be hospitalised. This made people angry and a shutdown was called in Leh. Thousand of youngsters came on the streets," he said.
He further called the protest a "Gen Z revolution" - using a term popularised by the recent youth-led demonstrations that toppled the government in Nepal.
Wangchuk added, "They have been unemployed for five years...I've been saying for years that keeping the youth unemployed and snatching their democratic rights leads to unrest. There are several issues but I will talk about them later. I urge the youngsters not to take the path of violence. This would render my efforts of five years useless.".
Stressing on the need to remain peaceful, he urged both sides to engage in dialogue.
"I want the government to listen to the message of peace. When they ignore peaceful protests and marches, such situations arise. I would urge the government to be sensitive about Ladakh and urge the younger generation to follow the path of peace. This (violence) path is not my path. It is a result of their anger. But this is not the time to vent their anger. It is time to have a calm, cool conversation with the government," the activist said.
Ladakh was earlier part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. On August 5, 2019, the BJP-led central government revoked J&K’s statehood and reorganised it into a Union Territory. At the same time, Ladakh was also carved out as a separate Union Territory.
Sonam Wangchuk ends 15-day hunger strike in Leh amid intense clashes, tells supporters he doesn't want more trouble. pic.twitter.com/giYIlGMzct
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 24, 2025
"VERY SAD EVENTS IN LEH: My message of peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause," Wangchuk posted on X along with a video message.
VERY SAD EVENTS IN LEH
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 24, 2025
My message of peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause.#LadakhAnshan pic.twitter.com/CzTNHoUkoC
"Friends, it is extremely sad that today, on day 15 of our protest, Leh witnessed violence on a massive scale. Yesterday, out of those who had been fasting for 35 days, two had to be hospitalised. This made people angry and a shutdown was called in Leh. Thousand of youngsters came on the streets," he said.
He further called the protest a "Gen Z revolution" - using a term popularised by the recent youth-led demonstrations that toppled the government in Nepal.
Wangchuk added, "They have been unemployed for five years...I've been saying for years that keeping the youth unemployed and snatching their democratic rights leads to unrest. There are several issues but I will talk about them later. I urge the youngsters not to take the path of violence. This would render my efforts of five years useless.".
Stressing on the need to remain peaceful, he urged both sides to engage in dialogue.
"I want the government to listen to the message of peace. When they ignore peaceful protests and marches, such situations arise. I would urge the government to be sensitive about Ladakh and urge the younger generation to follow the path of peace. This (violence) path is not my path. It is a result of their anger. But this is not the time to vent their anger. It is time to have a calm, cool conversation with the government," the activist said.
Ladakh was earlier part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. On August 5, 2019, the BJP-led central government revoked J&K’s statehood and reorganised it into a Union Territory. At the same time, Ladakh was also carved out as a separate Union Territory.
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