The arrest of climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh has triggered a strong backlash from opposition parties, who are accusing the central government of mishandling the situation and stifling dissent. Wangchuk's arrest comes in the wake of recent protests in Leh regarding the demand for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the region.

Several opposition leaders have voiced their concerns and criticisms. The Indian National Congress condemned the arrest, with General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stating that it was an attempt to divert attention from the BJP's failure to maintain law and order in Ladakh. Ramesh accused the BJP of deceiving the people of Ladakh by not fulfilling promises made during the 2020 Leh Hill Council elections, specifically regarding the Sixth Schedule status.

AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the central government's actions, calling them "oppressive and dictatorial". He suggested that the country is going through a difficult phase, likening the government's actions to historical figures known for their dictatorial rule. Delhi Leader of Opposition Atishi stated that Wangchuk was voicing concerns related to Ladakh's land, environment, identity, and voting rights, and that jailing him was an attack on democracy.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called Wangchuk's arrest "unfortunate" and questioned the central government's reneging on promises made to the people of Ladakh. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti described the arrest as "deeply disturbing," referring to Wangchuk as a lifelong advocate of peace who is being punished for demanding that promises be kept.

Other opposition figures, such as CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, have also condemned the arrest. Rashtriya Janata Dal spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha called the arrest a "marker of where India stands today," likening it to an Orwellian state.

Wangchuk's arrest occurred shortly before he was scheduled to hold a press conference to address allegations against him. A senior police officer indicated that Wangchuk might be taken outside Ladakh for interrogation. Simultaneously, mobile internet services were suspended in Leh as a precautionary measure.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier accused Wangchuk of inciting violent unrest and revoked the FCRA license of his organization, Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). The MHA cited "serious discrepancies" in financial accounting, including alleged violations involving cash deposits, undeclared donations, and a fund transfer from Sweden that was deemed "against national interest". The government had also cancelled a 40-year land lease allotted to Wangchuk's Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, citing failure to execute a formal lease agreement and lack of progress on the project.

Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has accused the government of spreading a "false narrative" to tarnish his image and treating him like a criminal. She alleged that their house was ransacked by police and that Wangchuk was being unjustly portrayed as "anti-national".

The arrest has raised concerns about the government's handling of dissent and its commitment to fulfilling promises made to the people of Ladakh. Legal advisor to the Leh Apex Body (LAB), Haji Ghulam Mustafa, called Wangchuk's arrest an "unwise decision" that could "complicate the situation" and "hurt the people of Ladakh emotionally". Chering Dorjay Lakruk, co-chairperson of LAB, dismissed the allegations against Wangchuk as baseless.