Against the backdrop of the violent protests in Ladakh, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted a video of activist Sonam Wangchuk, alleging that Wangchuk had instigated the protestors and urged them to come masked and hooded. The video showed Wangchuk speaking in Ladakhi, and putting on a surgical mask and a cap.
In a dated video, Sonam Wangchuk urged protesters to come masked and hooded, while Smanla Norboo went so far as to threaten the stoning of the BJP office and openly provoked the masses. The so-called youth leaders — Stanzin Chosphel, Jigmet Paljor, and Padma Stanzin — who were… pic.twitter.com/HclFQ2rdGF
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 24, 2025
The Leh region witnessed unprecedented violence on September 24 as youth torched the regional office of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Later in the day, the Union home ministry issued a statement ‘blaming’ climate activist Sonam Wangchuk for the unrest, alleging he had incited the mob by making provocative statements by mentioning the Arab Spring-style protest and the recent GenZ protests in Nepal.
In addition to setting fire to the BJP’s local office, the protestors also allegedly torched a police vehicle, injuring at least 30 police personnel. In retaliation, the police fired bullets and tear gas, which reportedly resulted in the death of four people and the injury of dozens. “In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties are reported,” the home ministry statement said. Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on September 26 by Leh police.
Right-wing X influencer @MumbaichaDon echoed Malviya’s claim while sharing the video. “In an undated video, Bast@rd Sonam Wangchuk can be seen urging protesters to come masked & hooded to hide identification,” remarked the user. (Archive)
What more proof you need to know that today’s Ladakh Vi0£ence was preplanned!
In an undated video, Bast@rd Sonam Wangchuk can be seen urging protesters to come masked & hooded to hide identification.
Today’s Ri0ters did the same.
So-called youth leaders — Stanzin Chosphel,… pic.twitter.com/O0ddt1DuhD
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) September 24, 2025
Several other users amplified the same claim alongside the viral video. (Archives 1, 2, 3, 4)
Fact Check
Alt News was able to locate the original video on YouTube. The 17-minute long video of Wangchuk was uploaded on the YouTube channel Achoe Nyingstam, which refers to a series of talks and discussions by the activist. This particular video was uploaded on September 8, two days before the Sarv Dharm Prarthana Sabha, where Wangchuk had announced a 35-day hunger strike, along with 15 others, to demand the resumption of talks with the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA).
In this particular video, Wangchuk was inviting people to the Sarva Dharm Prarthana while cuationing his viewers against the large crowd that could gather. This is when he urged his viewers to put on masks to prevent the spread of diseases. He also urged people to wear caps to hide from the sun. The relevant portion of the YouTube video starts at the 15:50 minute-mark.
“We need to gather peacefully and register our protest. Due to the huge crowd, COVID-19 also poses as a threat. To prevent oneself from contracting COVID, one could wear masks and caps. The youth could also wear a hoodie.”
The hunger strike in Ladakh was called primarily in support of the demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would grant the region autonomy and special protections for its tribal population.
To sum up, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared a clipped video of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk out of context to suggest that Wangchuk was instigating mobs of protestors to hide their identities by wearing masks and caps. In reality, the video dates back to September 8, before Wangchuk’s hunger strike started. Wangchukwas inviting his viewers to the Sarva Dharm Prarthana Sabha where the strike was eventually announced on September 10. He was urging his followers to wear masks to avoid diseases in the large crowd and caps to shield oneself from the sun.
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