Today, I write this with the heaviest of hearts from Leh, Ladakh, not just as a journalist but also as a patriotic citizen of this country, to draw the attention of the nation, particularly a section of its media persons.

Ladakh’s sentiments are being played with by media channels and organisations controlled by corporates and politicians – the so-called godi media. Since independence, Ladakhis have always guarded the nation from two hostile neighbours, shoulder to shoulder with the Indian Army. But what we have recently seen is heartbreaking – the killing of our own protesters by our own security forces in Leh, who are supposed to protect us. Four people have been killed and 90 injured in the unfortunate clash that took place in Leh on September 24.

I strongly believe that other methods, rather than live bullets, could have been used to control the agitated youth. We understand that the ransacking and torching of the BJP office by angry protesters was condemnable but should that or any act of violence be dealt with by shooting citizens indiscriminately in their chests and heads?

From the very next day, dozens of international and national media persons began landing in Leh. Many of them, especially the mainstream media, appear to have rushed to report imaginary China and Pakistan links to the incident. Why did these TV channels fail to show protesters waving the national flag and raising the slogan, “We want Sixth Schedule?” Many were more concerned about pleasing their bosses than about the pain of Ladakhis, whose brothers were killed by our own forces, and whose leader, Sonam Wangchuk, has now been booked under the National Security Act and is locked away in Jodhpur jail.

Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest has become a legal battle but I believe truth will prevail. Every Ladakhi, as well as the nation knows who Sonam Wangchuk is — a man who has brought countless laurels to India with his innovations and patents. His work has enabled technology transfer from India to the rest of the world. He revolutionised Ladakh’s education system, replacing an alien model with one rooted in local culture, and in the process transformed the lives of thousands of students from rural border villages. Having known him for 30 years, I can say with certainty that he has never spoken against the country. On the contrary, he has always urged people to be grateful to the nation and proud of being Indian. Ironically, today the ruling class sees him as a threat. His arrest itself speaks volumes about the turbulence our country is going through. Have we really come to a point where speaking against a political party, corporates, or godi media is branded as “anti-national”?

I also strongly feel that the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk would help create the right atmosphere for dialogue between the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ladakhi leaders. At this sensitive juncture, building trust is crucial, and the continued detention of such a respected figure only deepens mistrust and widens the gap.

I am asking media organisations in the country to stop portraying Ladakhis as anti-national.

Try to understand the ground reality instead of recycling narratives fed by agencies to mislead the country and the world. At present, only those with broadband connections can access the internet. Mobile internet has been suspended in Ladakh since Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest. Meanwhile, a section of the media and the 'IT cell' continue spreading propaganda to please their corporate and political masters. Secondly and very unfortunately, Ladakh could not even afford to give a dignified funeral to its martyrs due to the curfew imposition.

Today, people in Ladakh are shocked, shattered, and confused about what lies ahead. Such an incident has never before occurred in the history of Ladakh, a region long known as one of the most peaceful in India. I urge TV anchors: stop giving your analyses on Ladakh from the comfort of your air-conditioned studios in New Delhi and Mumbai. Let Ladakh live in peace, and let peace return to our land.

May truth and justice prevail.

Tsewang Rigzin is a Ladakh-based journalist.

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