Here’s The Truth Behind Video Claiming Sonam Wangchuk Called For Nepal, Bangladesh-Like Violent Protests In Ladakh

A 14-second clip of jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk is being shared online to claim he urged violent, Nepal and Bangladesh-style protests in Ladakh. The video, amplified by political leaders and widely circulated on social media, comes in the backdrop of his arrest under the National Security Act for allegedly instigating a mob that led to violent clashes and the death of four protesters in Ladakh on September 24.

“Anarchist Sonam Wangchuk was inciting a mob on September 10 and today put Leh on fire with the help of Congress,” read one such X post. BJP’s IT and social media head Amit Malviya shared the video as one among three clips, which purportedly prove Wangchuk called for violence, with the text reading, “’We will turn India into Nepal and Bangladesh – Sonam Wangchuk’,” again, apparently referring to the anti-government protests that triggered regime changes in the countries.

But Newschecker found that the full footage shows Wangchuk was advocating a peaceful struggle, explicitly rejecting stone-pelting, arson or armed confrontation.

Evidence: What The Full Video Shows

Source of the clip and translation of the excerpt

Newschecker traced the viral video to Ladakh People’s Voice’s YouTube channel, dated September 10, 2025. The original 34-minute video shows Wangchuk’s full speech.

The viral excerpt can be seen from the 15:00 mark, where Wangchuk mentioned reforms in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, while stressing for a peaceful revolution. We cross-checked with two Ladakhi speakers when translating the complete excerpt (till the 15:50 mark), which is as follows:

“(15:03) Many others also addressed the same. (15:04) Guaranteed reforms can be brought. (15:06) Reforms may have been witnessed in Nepal, Bangladesh, & Sri Lanka. (15:11) It is the people who bring the changes. (15:13) If one dies (he was referring to himself, which is clear if you listen to the speech before the excerpt), then changes may be brought. (15:16) I place my hope, unlike them, without having to pelting stones, or getting violence, etc. (15:23) We would urge Ladakh for a peaceful revolution. (15:29) In which, we would stay hungry ourselves, and dying in it. (15:33) That would lead to the ultimatum to bring changes. (15:35) This would have an impact on others. (15: 38) Ladakh would set an example for other places as well. (15:40) There is absolutely no need to engage in burning anything, and no need to die with bullets firing on us. (15:46)  We would rather choose to die staying hungry, taking pain on ourselves, without harming anybody. (15:50) Now the time has come.” 

Independent confirmations

• An Instagram post by Climate Front India, dated September 28, 2025, noted Wangchuk’s appeal for peaceful struggle, reiterating that in the viral video, the activist is clearly urging Ladakhis not to follow the violent path of Nepal, but to show the world how change can happen peacefully and democratically. 
• Newschecker came across The Print interview, dated September 28, 2025, with Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of Wangchuk. On the clip of him speaking in Ladakhi about protests in Nepal, Sri Lanka and other countries, Angmo said “the video was taken out of context.” “All he is saying is that if the government isn’t responsive to the needs of the people, then the natural reaction is revolution, which we can see is happening in other countries… It was not to say that we will make Ladakh like Nepal as it has been construed. It was to learn from the mistakes that other governments did who were not responsive to the needs of the youth and we should not do the same…I think it was pretty benign and being used as a smokescreen…,” she said.

Importantly, no reports from September 10, 2025, mention Wangchuk calling for violence during his hunger strike.

Protests Escalate Into Violence

Several people, including Wangchuk, began a hunger strike on September 10 with four demands: statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under sixth schedule, priority for locals in employment and local decision-making authority over natural resources, but 15 days into their fast, a call for a demonstration by the youth wings of the Leh Apex Body and of various religious associations, went awry. Four people were killed and more than 60 injured on September 24 as protests in Leh district of the Ladakh UT spiralled into violent clashes, where the BJP office was also torched.

Also Read: Did Sonam Wangchuk Say Ladakh Residents Would Allow Chinese Incursion?

Verdict

The viral video of Sonam Wangchuk has been clipped and misinterpreted. He did not call for violent, Nepal or Bangladesh-like protests in Ladakh. On the contrary, his speech explicitly urged a peaceful struggle, rejecting stone-pelting or arson.

Sources
Ladakh People’s Voice, YouTube, 35-day Anshan announced, September 10, 2025
Instagram, ClimatefrontIndia post on Sonam Wangchuk speech, September 28, 2025
The Print report, Wangchuk’s wife: He’s a Gandhian, not a threat, September 28, 2025