The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent Ladakhi activist, engineer, and education reformer, under the National Security Act (NSA) has sparked outrage and condemnation from various political figures and social groups in India. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has strongly criticized the central government's actions, questioning their patriotism and alleging a double standard in dealing with Wangchuk while maintaining cricket ties with Pakistan.
Wangchuk's arrest comes after weeks of protests in Ladakh demanding statehood, constitutional protections for indigenous communities, and reserved jobs for locals. These protests turned violent on September 24, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to dozens. The authorities have accused Wangchuk of inciting the violence through his speeches, alleging that he made references to the Arab Spring and anti-corruption protests in Nepal. They also accused him of maintaining alleged links with a Pakistan intelligence officer.
Thackeray, in a press conference, questioned the logic of branding Wangchuk, who developed solar tent technology for the Indian Army, as anti-national while continuing to engage in cricket matches with Pakistan, a country accused of sponsoring terrorism in India. He appealed to "patriots" to boycott the Asia Cup cricket final match between India and Pakistan and urged companies not to advertise during the match. He described the BJP's actions as a "drama of patriotism" and accused them of double standards.
The Ladakh administration has defended Wangchuk's detention, stating that his "provocative speeches" led to the violence. They said that his detention was necessary to maintain public order in Leh. Wangchuk has been shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.
Wangchuk's wife, Dr. Gitanjali J Angmo, has written to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking her husband's immediate release. She expressed shock and devastation at his detention and alleged that he was not allowed to collect his belongings or speak to her after his arrest. She also claimed that students and staff at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), where Wangchuk serves as the Director, have come under heavy police surveillance. She has described the situation as a "witch hunt" against her husband.
Several religious, social, and political parties in Ladakh have condemned Wangchuk's arrest. Activists and opposition leaders have compared his detention to the jailing of tribal rights defenders in central India and have called him a national asset, not a national threat. Social activists and environmentalists organized a sit-in protest outside the Jodhpur collectorate office, demanding Wangchuk's release.
The protests in Ladakh reflect long-standing grievances of the local population, including demands for statehood, constitutional protections, and autonomy over land and agriculture decisions. The region has been under the control of the central government since 2019 when it was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and made a Union Territory. The arrest of Wangchuk, who has been a leading voice for these demands, has further fueled tensions and raised questions about the government's approach to dissent in the region.
