Sonam Wangchuk apologizes after comparing Ladakh to Tibet

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has issued an apology to the Tibetan community following backlash over remarks comparing the situation in Ladakh to the repression faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule.

During a public address in Leh marking the anniversary of violence in Ladakh, Wangchuk claimed that the Indian government’s actions toward the Ladakhi people surpassed those of China in Tibet. He specifically cited failures to fulfill promises regarding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Tibet’s government-in-exile, expressed “deep concern,” labeling the comparison “misplaced and inaccurate.” CTA spokesperson Tenzin Lekshay stated that Wangchuk’s comments did not reflect the reality of Tibet, where the population faces systematic repression of fundamental rights, religious freedom, and efforts to erase their cultural identity under authoritarian rule.