Renowned environmentalist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested under the National Security Act (NSA), which permits preventive detention without trial for up to a year. The arrest comes in the wake of his 15-day hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Transferred to Jodhpur; Internet Shut Down in Leh
Following his arrest, Wangchuk was transferred to Jodhpur, Rajasthan, under heavy security. Authorities in Leh have also suspended internet services across the district to curb the spread of what they described as “misinformation” and to prevent further unrest.
Protests Turn Violent; Government Alleges Incitement
The crackdown comes just days after violent protests erupted in Leh, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to over 50 others, including several security personnel. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has accused Wangchuk of inciting public unrest through what it called “provocative statements” made during and after his hunger strike.
SECMOL Under Scrutiny
In a parallel move, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of Wangchuk’s NGO — the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) — has been cancelled, effectively blocking the organization from receiving international donations. Sources within the Home Ministry have also confirmed that a criminal investigation into SECMOL’s financial activities has been initiated.
Growing Discontent in Ladakh
Since Ladakh was designated as a Union Territory in 2019, demands for greater political autonomy, land rights, and cultural protections have intensified. There is rising concern among locals about being sidelined in the region’s governance and about large-scale development projects threatening the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Political and religious groups — including the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — have found rare unity in pushing for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which would offer tribal protections and greater legislative powers. Wangchuk has been one of the most visible faces of this movement.
Government Says Dialogue Ongoing
The Centre has reiterated that dialogue with local stakeholders is ongoing, but has accused certain individuals, including Wangchuk, of attempting to “derail the process through public agitation and misinformation.”
Backlash from Opposition and Civil Society
Wangchuk’s arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, activist groups, and civil society organizations across India. Critics have called the move “undemocratic,” “heavy-handed,” and “a threat to peaceful protest in India.”
Many have also highlighted Wangchuk’s long-standing contributions to environmental conservation and alternative education in the region, questioning the logic of treating a globally recognized environmentalist as a national security threat.
What’s Next?
As protests continue to simmer and internet restrictions remain in place, tensions in Ladakh show no sign of easing. With Wangchuk now in detention and investigations into his NGO ongoing, the Centre faces mounting pressure to balance national security concerns with democratic rights and regional aspirations.
