Draft:Aba Sonam Wangyal

Introduction: Sonam Wangyal, affectionately known as Aba Sonam Wangyal, was born on January 25, 1925, in Chemrey village, Ladakh. Rising to prominence over the years, he became one of Ladakh’s most influential political leaders, known for his steadfast dedication to the region. Serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Jammu & Kashmir for 20 years, he championed Ladakh’s development and representation. A committed advocate for social and economic justice, Wangyal dedicated himself to improving the lives of Ladakhi communities. He worked to lift families out of poverty by educating them on the dangers of high-interest loans and spearheaded efforts to secure Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations to ensure equal opportunities and address historical discrimination. His enduring contributions shaped Ladakh’s social and economic landscape, empowering its people and securing their rights for generations.[1]

Early life:

Sonam Wangyal was born to a family from a humble background in Ladakh. It was a time in Ladakh when nearly 90% of its people relied on subsistence agriculture, barely surviving off the mountainous terrain. For most, their small plots were both sustenance and heritage. In this vulnerable society, however, wealthy moneylenders exploited their poverty, imposing high-interest loans that kept families trapped in debt. Many lost their only source of livelihood—their land—to these lenders, leaving them devastated.This injustice weighed heavily on Sonam Wangyal. Witnessing families lose ancestral lands to creditors fueled his determination to end this cycle of exploitation. With a deep sense of responsibility, he made it his mission to free Ladakhis from debt and restore their dignity. As he grew, Wangyal also recognized the damaging effects of the RES system—a taxing practice imposed by the Dogra regime, which forced villagers to supply government officials with essential goods. This exploitative system further drained the resources of already struggling families, intensifying their hardships and adding urgency to his resolve. This harsh reality further fueled Sonam Wangyal’s resolve to fight for change. He became increasingly aware that the very structure of society was tilted against his people, and he recognized that meaningful reform was urgently needed to lift the burden of such unjust systems and to restore dignity and prosperity to Ladakhi communities.This sense of duty would come to define his life and shape his legacy as one of Ladakh’s most courageous advocates for change.

Education:

In 1947, as Pakistan advanced on the borders of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh faced a time of turmoil. Pandit Shridhar Kaul, known as Pandit Dullu and the sole education officer in the region, was widely respected for his dedication to the Ladakhi community. Upon learning of the invasion, he quickly organized a volunteer defense force, the Home Guards, rallying locals to protect their homeland. Among the first volunteers was Sonam Wangyal, a young man filled with enthusiasm and a deep sense of duty. Recognizing Sonam's unique potential, Pandit Dullu saw in him qualities that could serve a greater purpose, guiding him beyond immediate resistance. Pandit Dullu wrote a letter to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India. Sonam Wangyal walked for 49 days to reach New Delhi via Manali road .Upon his arrival in Delhi, Sonam was temporarily housed in a refugee camp at Birla House. For a week, he waited patiently, a young man from Ladakh in the bustling capital, until he was finally granted an audience with Prime Minister Nehru. During this meeting at the Prime Minister's office, he also encountered Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, along with Mirza Afzal Beg, a prominent freedom fighter and close friend of Sheikh Abdullah. The leaders were moved by the earnestness of Pandit Dullu’s letter and the determination that Sonam displayed.Recognizing his potential, Prime Minister Nehru recommended a scholarship for Sonam’s continued education. Mirza Afzal Beg further supported the young man's aspirations by arranging for him to pursue his studies in Srinagar. This encounter marked the beginning of Sonam Wangyal’s journey into leadership, with the encouragement of prominent figures who saw in him the promise of a dedicated future leader for Ladakh.

Political Career

In 1949, when His Holiness the 19th Kushok Bakula, spiritual leader and head lama of Spituk monastery embarked on a political career to serve the people of Ladakh, he was in dire need of a well educated Ladakhi to become his personal assistant. In order to meet this demand, Aba Sonam Wangyal had to give up his education mid-way and return to Leh. He toured all across Ladakh to deepen his understanding about the social and political landscape. He learnt about overburdening amounts of debt on farmers and how they were being exploited by money lenders at any given opportunity. He discussed this issue with Kushok Bakula who responded with a vigorous campaign against corrupt administration, money lenders and other vested interests. During these campaigns, Aba Wangyal was imprisoned on several occasions. Aba Wangyal himself took cases of victims who had lost land to overly interested loans. He won 500 cases out of 1000 filed cases and in this manner, he became a true representative of the people.Ultimately, farmers got exempted from the exorbitant revenue tax and the government also settled half of their debts and loan cases. He gained widespread recognition for his noble activity and he was soon elected as District President, National Conference, Leh. Later continued as District President of Congress Party. In 1957, he became a Member of Legislative Council (MLC), Jammu and Kashmir. He continued being MLC for the next decade until in 1967, when he contested for Member of Legislative Assembly(MLA). He contested for the MLA seat against Khanpo Rinpoche who was head Lama of Thikse monastery and he was highly regarded by many. Aba Wangyal was then inducted as Minister of State, J&K and by now, he became a household name all over Ladakh. In 1972, Aba Wangyal contested once again for the Assembly elections and this time, the rival was Kushok Togldan, head Lama of Phyang monastery. Once again he excelled with flying colors and defeated the opposition by a wide margin.[2]

Achievements:

The central government of India was curious to learn about the disparities shared between the three valleys of Jammu and Kashmir; Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. So, they appointed a Commission under ex-Chief Justice of India to redress the regional imbalances. In 1968, a member from the appointed commission paid a visit to Ladakh and their recommendations were; respective degree college to each district Leh and Kargil, improving electricity supplies and improving transport infrastructure of the region. By then, most of the Himalayan states and North-eastern states had been declared Scheduled Tribes and their population was already enjoying the perks of status while Ladakh was made to wait in ignorance. In 1982, a campaign rose amongst Ladakhis demanding recognition as a Scheduled Tribe and Aba Wangyal became the most active member to participate in it. In January, 1982 he went on hunger strike straight for 16 days and in 1984, he again went on hunger strike for the cause of ST rights for Ladakhis. The status of Scheduled Tribe had hidden promises for the future of Ladakhi youth who could earn degrees and have education equivalent to any other student in India. Therefore, Aba Wangyal seriously envisioned the future of Ladakh and sat for extreme hunger strikes. He withdrew his strike on request of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India and she persuaded him by announcing the intention of the Government to grant ST status to the people of Ladakh. This decision was implemented late but it did come across a successful endeavor in 1989 when Ladakh was finally included in the list of Scheduled Tribes of India.

Other Contributions:

Homeless Persons’ Association

As Ladakh made considerable progress, Leh began attracting people from surrounding rural areas who sought better opportunities. This migration from villages to the urban center led to a growing issue of homelessness, as the city struggled to accommodate the influx of new residents. Aba Wangyal resolved to tackle these upcoming issues by forming a Homeless Persons’ Association.

Secular Ladakh:

In 1989, Ladakh witnessed one of the major communal clashes between Buddhists and Muslims. Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) was launching a new campaign to press for longstanding demand that Ladakh be given Union Territory (UT) Status and as part of this agitation, LBA also imposed a social and economic boycott against the Muslim minority community. When LBA invited Aba Namgyal to extend his support for the campaign, he refused on the ground that Muslims must be equally included. Although he was a staunch supporter of UT Ladakh, he didn’t compromise on his ideals of secularism for he acknowledged the fact that Ladakhis could not afford to mix politics with religious communalism. Finally in 1992, LBA lifted the boycott against the Muslims before the grant of Hill Council Status.[3]

Women’s Education: He was a very visionary man who understood the importance of education not only for men but women as well. He knew that the whole population constituted from inclusion of women and the secret to true development laid in emancipation of women from kitchen and household chores. Therefore his speeches would highlight upon the utmost necessity about educating women especially so that in the coming future, women will have equal say in their rights. His vision was indeed lived through his daughters, all of them were the first of finely educated women in different fields of expertise.

Personal Life:

Aba Sonam Wangyal had two wives; his first wife was from Zangla Mrs. Urgyan Dolma and his second wife was Mrs. Tsering Angmo. He shared 5 children with Urgyan Dolma and had 4 children with Tsering Angmo. He passed away on 10th November' 1998 but his legacy is continued through his children. The children between Aba Sonam Wangyal and Urgyan Dolma are: Mr. Gyal Phuntsog Wangyal and Mr. Thupstan Tsering Wangyal were first born twins to the couple. Mr. Gyal Wangyal served as a councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) for 15 years and then also served as Executive Councillor for 6 months and 6 months as Deputy Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) before he took oath as the Chief Executive Councillor for LAHDC, Leh. Dr. Duchan Dolma was the second born child after the twins who grew up to be one of pioneering medical doctors in Ladakh. Adv. Thinless Angmo was the third in line who is now currently serving as senior advocate at Leh District Court. Nilza Angmo was the last of the couple's children and she was the first woman pilot in all of the then state of Jammu and Kashmir (pre-31st October’ 2019). The children between Aba Sonam Wangyal and Tsering Angmo are 4 sons; Phuntsog Wangchuk, Tsetan Dorjay, Sonam Dorjay and Sonam Wangchuk. All of them own successful lines of businesses except for Mr. Sonam Wangchuk who founded Student’s Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). Mr. Sonam Wangchuk is the youngest son of Aba Sonam Wangyal and he is also a prominent revolutionary figure from Ladakh. Although he has never been directly involved in politics yet he strives hard for the rights of Ladakhi people. He is the face of Climate Fast since he was the initiator of the concept as well as the most active participant.

  1. ^ "Leh observes 23rd death anniversary of former minister Sonam Wangyal | the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh | India".
  2. ^ "People of Ladakh remembers Late Sonam Wangyal on his 19th death anniversary".
  3. ^ "Ladakh remembers Sonam Wangyal on 18th death anniversary". 10 November 2016.