In Leh, young protestors have pushed back against police claims blaming external agitation, saying that any violence during recent demonstrations was entirely spontaneous. They assert their motive was simple: to demand basic rights and justice.

Authorities had accused climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of instigating the unrest and hinted at foreign links behind the protests. But local voices and leaders from the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) strongly reject that narrative, insisting that the anger which boiled over was rooted in longstanding grievances and genuine frustration.

According to the youth, the protests escalated only after the health of hunger strikers deteriorated, adding emotional fuel to their demands. They argue that the public outrage was natural, driven by the worsening conditions rather than any planned violence.

As the debate intensifies, the clash over the narrative—whether the protests were manipulated or homegrown—reflects deeper tensions about governance, local autonomy, and how dissent is portrayed. The youth of Leh remain firm in insisting their voice was not weaponized by others—they only sought to be heard.