The Union government has alleged in the Supreme Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk sought to create unrest in Ladakh, similar to the violent agitations witnessed in Nepal and Bangladesh. The accusation was made during a hearing before a Supreme Court bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P.V. Varale. The case concerns a petition filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, argued that Wangchuk's speeches and actions indicated a desire for Ladakh to emulate the situations in Nepal and Bangladesh. Mehta claimed that Wangchuk had referred to the Central government as "them," creating a division between the people of Ladakh ("us") and the rest of India. He also pointed to Wangchuk's calls for a "plebiscite" and "referendum" as evidence of secessionist tendencies. The Solicitor General stated that Wangchuk's language of "us" versus "them" was sufficient grounds for his detention under the NSA.

The government further alleged that Wangchuk incited the youth, particularly Generation Z, drawing parallels to events in Nepal and Bangladesh. According to the government, Wangchuk's speeches included references to civil unrest and even self-immolation, interpreted as attempts to provoke agitations similar to those in other countries. Mehta argued that Wangchuk deliberately crafted his speech, using references to Mahatma Gandhi to mask its allegedly inflammatory content. He accused Wangchuk of instigating the younger generation towards protests, potentially including violent methods. "This is an invitation to indulge in a kind of civil war with blood bath, giving an example of Arab Uprising...he is instigating impressionable youth to resort to this,” Mehta said.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, under the National Security Act (NSA) following protests in Leh. The protests demanded statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. During the protests, demonstrators clashed with security personnel, resulting in injuries, and four people were killed in police firing. The NSA empowers the government to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner prejudicial to the security of India, with a maximum detention period of 12 months.

Wangchuk's legal counsel and his wife have refuted the allegations, arguing that his remarks were taken out of context. They maintain that he advocated for mindful development and environmental protection in Ladakh. Gitanjali Angmo has described the government's actions as an attempt to silence dissent and prevent local participation in policymaking for Ladakh.

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of Wangchuk's detention, focusing on the grounds presented by the government and the context of his public statements. The court will assess the district magistrate's evaluation of Wangchuk's speeches and the broader context of the protests. Arguments from Wangchuk's side emphasize his right to dissent and the need for policies tailored to Ladakh's unique ecological and cultural context. The hearing is expected to continue with further submissions in subsequent sessions.