The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday alleged that the recent violence in Ladakh over statehood and Sixth Schedule demands was part of the Congress party’s “nefarious design” to destabilize the region.
At a press conference, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag was the “main instigator” of the clashes in Leh. “Today in Ladakh, an attempt was made to portray some protests as being led by ‘Gen Z’ but when an investigation was carried out, it was found that this was not a Gen Z protest but actually a Congress protest,” Patra said.
He claimed Tsepag could be seen “marching towards the BJP office with a weapon in his hand” and accused him of inciting the mob. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also shared a purported picture of Tsepag on X, writing, “This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward.”
Patra alleged that the violence was part of a larger conspiracy, linking it to global unrest. “Rahul Gandhi repeatedly incites youth to create conditions like those that occurred in Bangladesh and Nepal, and are happening now in the Philippines, to bring similar circumstances to India,” he said.
ALSO READ: After Centre blames Sonam Wangchuk for Ladakh violence, CBI comes knocking at his doors
Police confirmed that four people were killed and at least 80 injured, including 40 police personnel, during the violence. Demonstrators reportedly set ablaze a paramilitary vehicle and the BJP’s local office, prompting police to open fire and use tear gas.
Sonam Wangchuk Rejects Allegations, Points to Youth Frustration
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently ended a 15-day hunger strike, rejected BJP’s allegations that Congress was behind the unrest. “The Congress doesn’t have such influence here that it can manage to get 5,000 youth on the roads,” he said.
He acknowledged that Tsepag had spoken in anger after two villagers from his constituency were hospitalized, but maintained that the protests were driven by deep frustration among young people. “The Gen Z, who took to the streets, we had not even seen them at the protest. This was a general complaint here that the youths are not participating in the protest,” he noted.
Wangchuk expressed sorrow over the clashes, attributing them to dissatisfaction with delays in dialogue. He pointed to the October 6 date set by the home ministry for talks as a factor that added to public anger. “No one knew something like this would happen. Thousands came out and this situation was created,” he said.
The demand for Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule has intensified since the abrogation of Article 370. The recent unrest marks the deadliest escalation in the ongoing agitation.
