Ladakh’s prominent climate reformer and statehood activist, Sonam Wangchuk, has been arrested under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), a day after he openly declared that he would be “happy to be arrested anytime for this cause.” Sources said he has been moved to an undisclosed location and may be taken out of Ladakh tonight or tomorrow.
The NSA, which allows preventive detention without bail for extended periods, has been invoked against the Ramon Magsaysay Award-winning educationist amid growing tensions in Ladakh over demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The arrest came shortly after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled the registration of his NGO, SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), citing alleged violations. Mr Wangchuk, however, has denied the charge, stating that SECMOL never received foreign donations but engaged in legitimate business dealings with international organisations, with taxes duly paid.
The move follows recent violence in Ladakh that left four people dead and over 50 injured, including security personnel. The MHA accused Mr Wangchuk of making provocative statements that incited the violence and criticised him for ending his fast and leaving in an ambulance “without making serious efforts to control the situation.”
Discontent in Ladakh has been rising since 2019, when the region was carved out as a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370. What began as celebration over new administrative status has gradually transformed into resentment over a perceived political vacuum under the Lieutenant Governor system. Political and religious groups from both Leh and Kargil have united in demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards.
Despite ongoing dialogue between the Centre and local platforms like the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), tensions have escalated, with the government blaming “politically motivated individuals” for derailing talks.
Reacting to the arrest, J&K National Conference leader Omar Abdullah called it “unfortunate” and held the BJP responsible for the situation. Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also criticised the move, saying arresting Mr Wangchuk was “wrong and avoidable.”
Before his detention, Wangchuk warned that his arrest could further mobilise public sentiment.
“Sonam Wangchuk in jail will be equally, if not more, problematic as Sonam Wangchuk outside,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
