Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has publicly criticized climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, dismissing his assertion of an “undeclared Emergency” in the national capital as a bid to remain in the public eye. Saxena suggested that activists often resort to making sensational statements to maintain media attention.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Saxena’s comments came in response to a question about Wangchuk’s remarks concerning restrictions placed on a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Wangchuk had previously warned of potential peaceful actions, including a hunger strike or march in Leh or Delhi, if these curbs were not lifted.
During an event, when questioned about Wangchuk’s “Emergency” statement, the Lieutenant Governor stated, “My personal opinion is that activists have a habit of staying in the news. For this reason, they can make any statement that keeps them in the news.” He further elaborated on his view by referencing past statements made by Wangchuk, including comparisons of Ladakh to Tibet and Manipur. According to Saxena, when Wangchuk’s previous statements did not garner sufficient public support, he allegedly claimed that Ladakh was worse off than Tibet and that China offered more democracy than India. Saxena reiterated that such pronouncements are intended to keep the activist in the news cycle, implying that the “Emergency” remark served the same purpose.
The Lieutenant Governor also raised questions about the efficacy of Wangchuk’s environmental initiatives in Ladakh. Saxena recounted a personal meeting with the activist where he posed direct questions regarding Wangchuk’s contributions to environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and education in the region. Describing Wangchuk as a figure often labeled an “environmentalist, climate activist and educationist” by the media, Saxena stated that he had inquired about his tangible achievements. He specifically mentioned asking Wangchuk about his actions concerning the shrinking Tso Kar Lake, which has reportedly reduced from approximately 11,000 acres to just 3,200 acres, and about his efforts in tree plantation and educational development.
Saxena asserted that Wangchuk’s responses to these inquiries were unsatisfactory. “He could not give any example of what he had done that had benefited Ladakh so much,” Saxena was quoted as saying. The Lieutenant Governor also revealed that he had extended invitations to Wangchuk for various events, including the inauguration of rock check dams, but the activist did not attend. Saxena expressed a desire to learn from Wangchuk’s potentially beneficial work if it existed, but indicated that Wangchuk was unable to provide concrete examples of his impact.
Further undermining Wangchuk’s public engagement, Saxena claimed that a planned foot march and public gathering announced by the activist for September 23 and 24 had met with a poor turnout. He alleged that a padyatra organized in Leh to commemorate the first anniversary of violence that resulted in four fatalities in September 2025 saw fewer than 50 participants, contrary to Wangchuk’s expectation of thousands. Saxena also stated that the march, initially intended to cover 20 kilometers, was halted after only four kilometers, with participants reportedly leaving in vehicles.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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