The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, the prominent Ladakhi education reformist and climate activist, has triggered widespread condemnation and raised serious questions about the government's handling of dissent in the region. Wangchuk was arrested on Friday, September 26, 2025, days after violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh.

Wife Alleges House Ransacked

Gitanjali Angmo, Wangchuk's wife and co-founder of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), has vehemently denounced the arrest, stating that her husband is being treated like a criminal without any reason. She also alleged that their house was "ransacked by the police" and that Wangchuk is being unjustly portrayed as "anti-national". Angmo described the situation as "the worst form of democracy," highlighting the lack of due process in her husband's arrest. She has challenged the government to a live, prime-time television debate on the allegations against Wangchuk, including those related to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and CBI inquiries.

Details of the Arrest

Wangchuk was arrested by a police party led by Ladakh DGP S D Singh Jamwal. Sources indicate that he has been charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), which allows for long preventive detention without bail. There are reports suggesting that authorities are planning to move him to a location outside of Ladakh, possibly Delhi. Following the arrest, internet services were reportedly suspended in the area to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Allegations and Counter-Arguments

The government has accused Wangchuk of inciting violence through "provocative statements" made during protests. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also cancelled the FCRA license of Wangchuk's NGO, Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), citing alleged violations. These violations reportedly include depositing locally generated funds into SECMOL's FCRA account, diverting funds for non-permissible activities, and failing to deposit foreign funds in the designated FCRA account.

Wangchuk has refuted these allegations, maintaining that he consistently called for peace and non-violence. He has also dismissed the accusations as an attempt to scapegoat him for the widespread frustration among Ladakh's youth and citizens. Wangchuk had previously stated his willingness to be arrested for the cause of protecting Ladakh.

Background to the Arrest

The arrest comes in the wake of escalating tensions in Ladakh, where protests have been ongoing to demand statehood and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would provide greater autonomy and protection for the region's tribal population. These protests turned violent recently, resulting in casualties and injuries.

Prior to his arrest, Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike to highlight the demands for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh and to protest against industrial and mining lobbies. He has been a vocal advocate for protecting Ladakh's fragile environment and unique cultural identity. In late 2024, he was detained during his "Delhi Chalo" protest but was later released.

Reactions and Implications

The arrest has been condemned by various political parties and organizations, who see it as an attempt to suppress dissent and silence voices advocating for the rights of the Ladakhi people. Opposition leaders have accused the central government of reneging on its promises to the region. Wangchuk's wife has asserted that the government is deliberately trying to tarnish her husband's image, which has been built on his contributions to education, agriculture, and the environment.

The situation remains tense, and the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk is likely to further fuel unrest in Ladakh. The coming days will be critical in determining the charges against him and the future course of protests and negotiations between the government and the people of Ladakh.