After Sonam Wangchuk's detention in September 2025, a clip spread claiming he had said Ladakhis would show China the way in if it invaded India. It is false: the clip was cut from a March 2024 video in which Wangchuk was repeating a local comedian's remark to criticise the government's neglect of Ladakh.
Claim: Wangchuk said that if China invades India through Ladakh, Ladakhis "will not stop China but will show path to China getting inside".
Said by: A viral clip on Facebook and Instagram.
What the record shows: In the original March 2024 video he introduces the line with "There is a famous comedian here who said", then says "don't kill the messenger, solve the problem." BOOM
Where the claim came from
On 24 September 2025 statehood protests in Leh turned violent, the BJP office was burned and four people were killed in police firing. On 26 September Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act. BOOM
In the days that followed, an old video of Wangchuk was shared on Facebook and Instagram with the caption: "If China invades India through Ladakh, we will not stop China but will show path to China getting inside - Sonam Wangchuk." The posts implied he backed an invasion. BOOM did not name the accounts or report their reach. BOOM
What the evidence shows
Documented BOOM found the original, a 3-minute-16-second video Wangchuk posted on his X account on 12 March 2024. He was then on a 21-day hunger strike backed by the Leh Apex Body, demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh. In the video he describes students, monks, nuns and ex-servicemen joining the protest and recalls Ladakh's role in India's wars with Pakistan. BOOM
The line in the viral clip is not his own position. He prefaces it: "There is a famous comedian here who said". The remark was that Ladakhis would not stop Chinese forces if the government kept neglecting them. Wangchuk then says "don't kill the messenger, solve the problem", says he hopes the government will keep its promises, and says Ladakhis will keep defending India like soldiers. BOOM
BOOM published on 30 September 2025 and rated the claim false, finding the clip left out the context that changes its meaning. BOOM
Context
Government's position The Centre's case against Wangchuk rested on his speeches. In the Supreme Court it argued he cited the Arab Spring and pushed youth towards Nepal- or Bangladesh-style unrest in a sensitive border region. LiveLaw The China clip was not part of that case as reported. His detention was revoked on 14 March 2026. Newslaundry See our Ladakh protests page for the full record.
Questions people ask
Did Sonam Wangchuk say he would help China?
No. In the March 2024 video he was quoting a local comedian to warn about public anger, and he said Ladakhis would keep defending India.
When was the Wangchuk China video recorded?
He posted it on X on 12 March 2024, during a 21-day hunger strike for Sixth Schedule status and statehood.
Was the China clip used against Wangchuk in court?
Reports of the Supreme Court hearings describe the Centre relying on his references to the Arab Spring and Nepal, not this clip.
