Sonam Wangchuk's September 10 Speech - English Translation

Yes, greetings to everyone! Greetings! Yes, greetings! So, I am here as a representative. Actually... the students of our Ladakh, not just from Leh-Kargil, but from many places in India are here. Many journalists and media persons are here to see what is happening in Ladakh, what is being built. Many have come to take a stand, for the all-religion prayer meeting. Even a Muslim representative came to lead the prayer, and many people have gathered here for this purpose. Because of that, they too are listening. We are also holding a press conference later today. We have all gathered and are holding a demonstration. Many people have watched online, many journalists from across the country have come via the internet, in this time.

So... yes. Our leaders, our wise elders, have also come from all over India. And when they saw this peaceful scene, they said, "Wow, our all-religion prayer meeting has also become a part of this." Then, many representatives from India who were present, they saw that all religions are here, and when they heard this... then later, there were bhajans, and Jain prayers, all of it was presented here. It wasn't just about one thing. It means all religions were represented. Here, there were even prayers from other faiths. In India, there were bhajans in Hindi. Along with that, those who follow Jainism, and Muslims... all of them came together in a demonstration, in a gathering for prayer. A great Muslim leader, who is from our school, a young leader, also came and offered his prayers for all of us, so I am saying this, this is what I mean.

Later, when our leaders were here, they said that this would become a historic event, a significant moment, and their presence here would also be remembered in history. I felt the same way. When I think of it as one voice, it feels like this moment will be written down. Thinking of it as one voice, this has become a historic event, and it is also a healing process. I wanted to say this briefly, lest I take up too much time.

Now, everyone, do we have any concerns or not? For the last five years, our Ladakh has been like a school. Many Ladakhis feel that this is a difficult time. We are all united. We are one. If a young person speaks up, or if you listen to the youth, this is what comes to my mind. In the history of Ladakh, there have been three major, crucial, and difficult times. One of them was in 1930 when, at that time, Ladakh was protected by the lion's army. And at another time, the king of Ladakh gave it away, and Ladakh became a protectorate of the lion. During that time, the people of Ladakh also faced a very difficult period, and our grandparents... their feelings, their anxieties, their worries... they all came out, our ancestors.

After that, in the year 1977, what happened in Ladakh then? Things became difficult. Ladakh... whether it was being separated from India, or being given to Pakistan, or the difficulties with Jammu-Kashmir, all of that also brought a lot of feelings and worries to our ancestors. That's why many of you may not have heard these stories, but our respected Lama, Bakula Rinpoche, he came to India's aid. And after that, our internal administration, the Indian mother's hand took control, and our Ladakh became like this. This was a very crucial time in Ladakh's history.

And after that... now the third time, the big, difficult time, I would say, is the year 2020. In 2020. Today's event. During this time, what is happening and will continue to happen to us? The Ladakhi people, in Ladakh's land... their wealth and property, their culture and traditions, their beautiful religious harmony, the good culture of the people, the environment with its things... the land, the glaciers, the water, all of these things of ours... the pastures, the grasslands, all of these are also... being destroyed, and if they are lost, then this will be an uncontrolled birth. When I say birth, I mean a big, uncontrolled birth, with difficulties, with hunger, with thirst, with problems... with small things being snatched away... with houses and homes being taken away. The livelihood of the people here... if it is not possible to see it, then this time... a great sorrow has fallen upon Ladakh. And what did our ancestors do then, their feelings came out. I am telling you, today we are those ancestors.

What they did then, now it has been ten, sixteen years, the roots of all that have been sown, and the third time has come in 2020. Because of that, our ancestors, what they said then, we are fulfilling it now. If the great wealth of Ladakh is to be saved, then we must... with one voice, with unity... with courage, without fear, with determination, breaking down the barriers... with courage, with unity, leaving the schools, this Ladakh that exists, all of it. Our children, for our sake, for the last ten years, what has been done, this beautiful prayer, this is what we all are today. All of us who have gathered here are also a part of this. Today... this is a part of history. Whether we who have gathered here are a part of history or not. Those who are not here, they too are a part of history. Those who are not gathered here, who are working, who are with their families, our people who are in their own places, the drivers of cars who are honking in support, they are also with us, all of them are a part of history.

Yes... all our leaders. The great wealth... first of all, Bakula Rinpoche, because of his many efforts, Ladakh today, in this situation, has great blessings and protection... that's what it is. After that, then Mr. Thupstan, he... with his hard work and wisdom, protected Ladakh, with fire and water, he protected it. We are all grateful to him, and we offer our thanks and respect. And in this time, in this time, Mr. Tsering and Mr. Thupstan... have great blessings. And they, in their own way... what they did for our heroes, for the lions, for the people of Ladakh, as guides, their own wisdom, their knowledge, their experience, without any selfishness, they showed us the way. Both of them are great, and all the leaders, of all religions, the leaders we see here today, the leaders of women, the leaders of youth, the leaders of all religions... the leaders of the disabled, all of them have their own stamp, and this school, for the last five years, has been like this.

And if all of us citizens do not do our part, if we think that the leaders, the wise ones, the people are with us... then we all, as citizens, in this great land, with our leaders and wise men... we should do our part. We should follow our own path. We all... we all should follow our own path. When I say path, I mean that there is nothing to be done, nothing to be said, nothing to be done. Just gather at the Polo Ground for a few hundred thousand people and save Ladakh. Just by being present, it is saved. Just by a few hundred thousand people gathering here, the whole world is watching today. Such a thing has not happened before. If the people of India gather, then a few hundred crores of people will gather. Here, a few hundred thousand people have gathered. For this, we are all present. Our representative is not feeling well. He is also doing this for us.

So, if we all follow our own path, then I will also follow my own path. I, then... in these media outlets, in these news channels, if there is any use, then we all should use this platform to move forward. So, if a few hundred thousand of you gather, if the leaders of the lion's lineage lead, if Mr. Thupstan's words and compassion... a symbol... are followed, if the leaders show the way, and if that becomes a part of Ladakh's mountains, then there will be no need for any other support, that's what I think.

Thinking this way, for the last five years, I have been doing my own part. Because all of them are doing it, they are giving their support. They are doing it without any self-interest. The people are also supporting them. So, to move this platform forward, if I don't do it, who will? If I am afraid, if I am scared, then I will be a traitor. I will be living in comfort while others are in distress. In that position, I will not be able to see anything good. Yes.

Whatever I think, what I should do, is what I am doing... many big companies, representatives, and leaders are also doing their part. And I, for that reason, if I am afraid of all these difficulties and run away, then I will be a traitor, I will be working for the downfall of the country, and I will not be a supporter. That is the feeling. All of you, if not you, then who? If I don't do it, who will? Today is the day to do it. If not us, who? If not now, when? Do it now. If we do it later, then later will be too late. There is nothing to be gained. The water is gone, the work is done, now there is nothing. So, whether we do it tomorrow or the day after, it's useless. Today is the day to do it. If we can, if anyone can, if there is support, then today is the day. Who will do it? I will do it, I will do it, it is I. No one else will come. So, in this way, I have decided. I have no other worries. I have no fear. I have no fear of being arrested. I have been given all that I need to be arrested.

The world's honors, such awards and medals, even if they say they are not needed, I have received them. And I, putting all of this aside, am standing for the people of Ladakh, and for that, if I am wrong, then I am wrong. Yes, I am not doing this to get a position or a big honor. If I had to get an honor, if I had to get a national award, like the Padma awards, I would not say no. I would not ask for favors from anyone here, as I have said before. If I had remained silent, I would have received many things. If I had remained silent and quiet, I would have received many awards and honors, and I would have been a traitor. For that, I am standing for the people, and by doing so, I am not standing for anything else.

Now today... today, as many of you have heard, Sonam Wangchuk has become like this, he has become like that, he has been given a notice, an FIR has been filed against him. All of this is not a big deal for me. If I have to go, then I will go. They have also gone. He has received this award, he has become an ambassador to America, he has gone as an ambassador, all of these things have happened. In this matter, I have done this and that, many different goals have been set. This is what is being done. But what I want to tell you is that this is a priceless thing, for the sake of Ladakh. It is a priceless thing. If all of this comes to an end, then it is a priceless thing. By putting your heart and soul into it, by standing up again, by working hard again, for the next ten or twenty years, if you stand up and give your support, then you are also giving your support for that great cause. Yes.

So... all these fears, all these worries, all these fears and anxieties... what is this notice that has been sent? What is this FIR that has been filed? If this person is to be given to death, then all of this is being done as a pretext. Whatever they do, from my side... if I want to achieve my goal, then I am also doing this by going in circles, the people of Ladakh have been going in circles for five years, and now for another five years, if we go in circles, then a revolution will come. A revolution will come in Nepal, in Bangladesh, in Sri Lanka, a revolution of the people will come. And then, one by one, it will come, that's what I mean. I am saying that, in those places, with these feelings, with this pain, with this sorrow, a peaceful revolution will come in Ladakh. A peaceful revolution. Because all of us, with our own strength, are standing up, and then we will be able to achieve a revolution without any weapons. This will be a great thing for all the other countries in the world. And from Ladakh, another country will also learn a lesson. We have not shed blood. We have not fought with weapons. With our own strength, with our own determination, with our own unity, we have achieved this, they will say. So, that is what we are standing for.

Yes, so I will not talk about myself, because many people are waiting. So... at every moment, we have to be prepared, because this is a test for all of us, it is coming to us. I am also a human being. So, I want to say something briefly. They have come to my house with an FIR to arrest me. That's what I thought. So, after that, the FIR was indeed filed, and it was for sedition against the country. For acting against the country... we, the people of Ladakh, and I too, are supporters of the country, we have served the country, we have served the army, and today we are serving the country.

This is... this is not just about Sonam Wangchuk. Sedition and saying that the country is in danger, all the people of Ladakh are saying this. And this is a big thing. It is a big thing that the protector of the country is also a big thing, and for the people of Ladakh... their... a child, or they themselves, if they say that the country is in danger, then we are all saddened by this, because what will be the result of this, for the protector of the country. All of you who are here, who have no uniform, no salary, who are standing for the army. To say such things to them is not good, I think. But the first thing is this. So, then, I was at home, and I was getting ready, and the people of Kargil also said, and then nothing happened.

After that, they came to take me away in a vehicle. They came to take me away in a vehicle. Now, if they had taken me away in a vehicle, then I would have been in prison, a big one. I did not go. I did not go at all. They came. They came with force. They came with a bulldozer. I was ready to be taken away. The people of Ladakh, this is my home. They came to take me away. But I was not afraid. That vehicle also did not come.

I have something to tell you. If they had come to take me in that vehicle, then if I had resisted, then what would have happened to the houses, the shops, the people, all those who were there, and if they had been arrested, then my one crore would have become their ten crores, and they would have been arrested for that.

They have come with a plan, and now they are saying that they will come, and all the shops that have not yet been built, they have come to build them, and we are all worried, we are in trouble. Which shop is it that, for four years, has been a big shop with three or four floors? Many people have their shops there, and they have come to demolish them, they have come with a bulldozer, that is the feeling. And now... and now, we have got UT, we have got UT, and with this UT... and our union, our union's decision, has all been destroyed, that's what it is, it has been done. What has been done to our beautiful, beautiful place, all of it has been destroyed. Sindhu Central University has been opened in Ladakh. A medical college has been opened in Leh. An engineering college has been opened in Kargil.

Sindhu Central University, it is not even visible. It is just a piece of paper. Who will give us a child? Who will give us a student? Who will see it? Today, we are all here, we are moving. If we move today, we will not see it, and from a distance, we will see that Sindhu Central University, and they will say that they have built it. An engineering college has been opened in Kargil. It has been five years now. There is not even a drawing of it. That is not something. The feeling is that they are just demolishing what has been built. A medical college has been opened in Leh. Is there any space? If there is a small house, then I will give it to them.

These things that have been built with such difficulty, today they are demolishing them, they are bringing bulldozers, which means that... what is happening in this country, it is hard to understand. This is a very strange thing. They are demolishing the beautiful things. They have brought many vehicles. Thousands of canals. We have a question. Where will the university be built? We have not even seen the five or ten canals. The five or ten thousand, that is a big thing, so if we get a little, then that is fine, but we will not get much. The world has become a small village. It has taken them five years to draw a picture. It has taken us five years to go around the world. And then, when we came back, then this place, this building that was built, they have demolished it, a thousand canals. And now, in Drass, in Drass, there is no university. A college, a degree college.

How many students do we have there? Ten. Ten students. A thousand and some canals. That is the plan. So, I am not saying anything wrong. I am not saying anything wrong. In Drass, if there is a big, famous college, a great college, a university, then that is good, it is small, but it is fine. It is fine to have a university. But to build a building in a beautiful place is not right. This is... with the blessings of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, with his blessings and guidance, I am a soldier of his, and I have been chosen for this. If they demolish it, then I will not be able to do anything. Even a small piece of land will not have Sonam Wangchuk's name on it. If they build it in Ladakh, then we will give them our small, meager contribution. What we have, the Lakshmi that we have, we will give it to them. The money that we have, we will give it to them. The students that we have, we will give them. We will give them our contribution. And I will not rest until this is done.

This is the story of the land. After that, the ED, the ED, as many of you know. In Leh, there has been a lot of activity, and then suddenly, it has all stopped. They were going to make a raid. They were going to make a raid, and then... I also said that they should make a raid. Why did they stop? Who is it that is being protected, and why are they being protected? If a single person has taken a salary, then that is a bribe. And if they have taken crores and crores to build crores, then that is also a bribe. Yes. The UT of Ladakh, the administration of the UT of Ladakh, is now moving forward. And the LG of this UT of Ladakh, whose money has he given, if you ask, it is Sonam Wangchuk.

Five lakhs... five lakhs from the LG fund, he has not given me. I will file an RTI and find out who has been given the money. I will find out who has received it. All of this has been said, and the ED has stopped. After that, the Income Tax has sent a notice. Now, I have been giving money here and there, so I will not talk about all of that. The Income Tax department has sent a notice saying that a lot of money has come in. I said that the Income Tax does not apply to Ladakh. It does not apply to Ladakh. It does not. Article 26A says that it does not apply to Ladakh. And then... it is for the benefit of India. It is for the education of the children. It is for the army, for the soldiers. I am saying that if any person in Ladakh is paying tax, then it is I. And then, and then, the Income Tax has sent a notice. Now, what can I say, you have sent it. You have sent it.

This is what is happening, a city of darkness and a foolish king. A banana republic. A country where there is no rule of law, that is what is happening. There is no praise for those who bring water. The sugar... what is it called. There is no reward for those who bring sugar. There is no reward for those who bring sugar, there is praise. There is no praise for those who bring water, there is a reward. This is what is happening in the UT of Ladakh today. Now, we have to think about this. Yes. So, the Income Tax has also sent a notice. Now, the body, the body is getting tired. So, for two days, the CBI has come. The Central Bureau of Investigation, a very big organization. They say that there is a lot of fear. I said, who is afraid. In all of this, the people are very innocent. The people are very innocent. If it is the CBI, then the people... they say that we are helpless, we cannot do anything wrong. This is also the case in Ladakh. The DGP of our police, he is also a well-wisher of Ladakh, a well-wisher of Ladakh, he does not do anything wrong, he says. Many bureaucrats of Ladakh, many of them who want to do good for Ladakh, they say that we cannot do it. Many leaders of Ladakh have been whipped by the party. They say that if we do wrong, then we are in trouble. If we do wrong.

If we do right, then that is also the case, and if we do wrong, then that is also the case. The leaders of today, we also see that they are doing whatever they want with Ladakh, and we also see that. Who do we see? Whichever party it is, whether it is Congress, BJP, Aam Aadmi Party, or Lhakpa, if they are not doing good for Ladakh, then they are just looking after themselves. Whoever is loyal to the party, whoever has a good heart, he is the one who does not do wrong. Whoever is the most dangerous is the one who is the most powerful. When I went to Delhi, I met a big, powerful leader. He is very fond of Ladakh, he does a lot for Ladakh. He has become drunk with power. We need to remove these people from their positions. I have no party, but these leaders, they are all on their own, and I am saying what they are doing. I have a lot of good feelings for the people of Ladakh. But these good people, they are now being divided, and they are fighting among themselves.

That is why I have a request for all of you. In the east, I... some leaders, from their own pockets, are doing things for their own benefit. They are doing it for their own benefit. And then, they are not doing anything big, they are just doing small things. In the east, if you see one thing, then you will see two. Now, what has happened to that? A statement has been made. A big, powerful statement. In our place. And in that statement, a leader said this in Delhi. If I get a seat here, then I will not go back to Delhi. Just to get the seat. What did he say? I did not get the seat. I was not there. I did not get the person. What did he do?

And in this way, our leaders are in this situation. It is a shame. It is a shame. We should be ashamed of them. In this situation, we should stand up, we should fight, we should all stand up for our rights. Ladakh should stand up. Whatever we have to do, we have to do it, and we should not be afraid, we should not be scared, and Ladakh should not be divided. That is why we should all give our support. We are also the children of Ladakh, the sons and daughters of Ladakh. We should not do this. If we are in the party, then we should not. If we are doing this, then if you think so, then we are the protectors of Ladakh. That is why we should ask all our leaders. Today, in the Apex, when I said Congress, then the BJP also got very angry. They got angry. And then, they became one. They did not get angry. They said this and that. I am also a friend of the Congress, and they are all saying that. I am the one who will stand up for Ladakh, and that is Sonam Wangchuk. Whoever stands up for Ladakh, I will support them, and that is Sonam Wangchuk. That is what I have to say. That is why I am requesting all our leaders, whether they are in power or not, whether they are in the party or not, now is the time, if we do not stand up for our rights, then we will be finished. We will be finished. I have no hope from the Congress. Ladakh has become a barren land. Everyone should stand up. The party should also stand up, the government should also stand up. Ladakh should stand up. We don't need any party-warty. And if we don't do it, then who will do it? The one who protects Ladakh, the one who is the protector of Ladakh, he will do it. That is why we don't need any party. It is not as if a big person has given me a vote, and I have become his puppet.

Yes, yes. So, after this... a decision, a big decision has been taken. A big decision has been taken. And that is... I am also not sure. Our Apex body is also not sure. We were together, but now we are separate. So... after thinking a lot, a person who is not doing anything wrong... a person who, for the sake of Ladakh's protection, has not done anything wrong, has not done anything at all, has not done anything wrong. A person who has taken a loan, the leaders have taken a loan, and this Sonam Wangchuk has been expelled from the Apex. They have... Sonam Wangchuk has been made a scapegoat. When the protest happened, he was made a scapegoat, and all the others have gone away.

So, if I say anything, then there will be no one to listen. In this statement, if there is anything wrong, then my platform will be taken away, and I will have my own platform. He is a very knowledgeable person. And he is also saying something about me. When I told him to speak up, he said that if I speak up, then my life will be in danger. So, he is not saying anything. Whoever it is, he is my man, he is my leader, he is not the leader of the government. They are all saying who is good and who is bad. They are saying it. They are saying it, but the statement is not there, it says that Sonam Wangchuk is also there. This is a great thing for Ladakh. If the statement is not there, then Sonam Wangchuk is not there. If it is not there, then it is not there, and if it is there, then it is not there. So, because of his fear of the stick, Sonam Wangchuk has been removed from the statement, and now I am on a fast. I am on a fast from today. It is the twenty-fifth day. On the first day of the fast, on the second day, I will be joined by many people. From today, because there is no statement, so what is the point. Now, if I sit here and talk, then no one will listen, so I have decided to go on a fast.

This is a good opportunity, this is a good opportunity, I am not alone, many people are with me. Even if I am alone, I will not be afraid for long. I will fast for three days, for two days, for five days, and then I will fast again, I will fast again. I will be here. Because if I am not here, who will be? Because if I am not here, then my voice will be heard all over India. If anyone is here, then they will speak for me. I am speaking for myself, and if anyone is here, then they will also be a great help. So, from today, because I cannot speak in the statement, so I am here. There are a few of my friends here, and a few more will join me. Many people from here have not been able to go on a fast. From here, one by one, if they want to fast, if many people want to fast, then one or two people from here will join me, and from today, if anyone wants to fast, then they can fast for two days or ten days, and we will all fast together, and when we go on a fast, then whether it is for two days, or five days, or six days, for the sake of the protector, for the sake of our souls, we will fast. I have no other choice, but our choice is my choice. For that, I have to do it, and if I don't do it today, then when will I do it, and if I don't do it, who will do it, that's what I am saying.

So, this is my request to all of you, and then, yes, so, in the school of Ladakh, there has been something wrong, and now, if we can do something with love, then that is good, but if we cannot do it with love, then we will have to do it with love. It is a very loving thing to do, to fast. And now, to do this wrong thing, to protest, I have not even eaten. So, in a little while, there will be a press conference. And in that press conference, our leaders from Delhi, from the Delhi media, and from many places, and from our Ladakh, and our leaders will speak, and we will all be there, and we will protest, and a journalist from some place will come, and he will ask some questions, and that will be a big thing. And then, online, through the internet, it will be spread. And many people, after this, if they want to, they can speak a few words in Hindi, and the journalists from here will ask them questions. And I am also requesting all of you, if you listen, then you will be blessed, and if you don't, then you will also be blessed. Hail Mother India! Hail Mother India! Hail Mother India! Thank you.