Leh/Jodhpur, September 26, 2025 — Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent voice for Ladakh’s environment and statehood demands, was arrested on Friday and subsequently shifted to Jodhpur, Rajasthan, under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). The NSA allows preventive detention without bail for extended periods, and sources indicate that Wangchuk is likely to be kept outside Ladakh in the coming days.
The arrest has triggered widespread outrage across political and activist circles, while authorities have imposed internet shutdowns and curfew-like restrictions in Leh to contain unrest.
Arrest Amid Growing Unrest in Ladakh
The arrest comes just days after violent protests erupted in Leh over demands for Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule inclusion, statehood, and environmental protections. The protests, which turned violent earlier this week, resulted in four deaths and at least 90 injuries.
Wangchuk had been on a fast since September 10 in Leh to press for Ladakh’s rights, but ended it on September 24 after the violence escalated. Despite his consistent emphasis on peaceful and non-violent protest, authorities accused him of provoking unrest, leading to his detention under NSA.
Political Reactions: Sharp Criticism of Government
The arrest has sparked sharp criticism from opposition leaders and activists nationwide:
- Arvind Kejriwal, AAP chief, compared the government’s actions to dictatorship, remarking, “Dictatorship is at its peak in our country. The end of those who practice arrogance is always bad.”
- Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP’s Delhi President, accused the government of betraying Ladakh’s people: “The real traitors are not Sonam Wangchuk but those in power who are playing with the nation’s borders.”
- Mehbooba Mufti, PDP leader, called the arrest “deeply disturbing”, warning that “speaking truth to power in India today comes at a heavy cost.”
- Omar Abdullah, former J&K Chief Minister, termed it “very unfortunate”, stressing that the Centre had failed to honor its promises to Ladakh.
- Jagat Singh Negi, Himachal Pradesh minister, emphasized that Wangchuk was only demanding constitutional rights, warning that suppressing such voices was “dangerous for the unity and integrity of the country.”
- Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir accused the government of mishandling the situation and demanded a judicial inquiry into the Leh violence.
AAP’s Protest in Delhi
In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organized a candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar on Friday evening to protest the arrest. Leaders including Atishi, Manish Sisodia, and Saurabh Bharadwaj joined the demonstration, describing Wangchuk as “the hope of India’s youth.”
Internet Shutdown in Leh
Authorities confirmed that internet services have been suspended in Leh to prevent the spread of “misinformation” and to maintain law and order. The shutdown echoes measures seen in Kashmir in the past, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who likened the situation to a “police raj” in Ladakh.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk?
Sonam Wangchuk, 59, is a celebrated educationist, innovator, and climate activist from Ladakh, known internationally for his work on sustainable technology and environmental conservation in the Himalayas. His model of alternative education inspired the Bollywood character “Phunsukh Wangdu” in 3 Idiots.
In recent years, Wangchuk has emerged as the face of Ladakh’s struggle for statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and protection of fragile ecosystems against unregulated industrial and tourism activities.
What Lies Ahead?
With his arrest under NSA, Wangchuk faces the possibility of prolonged detention without trial. For Ladakh, the incident marks an escalation in the conflict between local aspirations for self-governance and the Centre’s strategy to control unrest.
Meanwhile, opposition parties and rights groups are expected to intensify protests across the country. The coming days will likely determine whether Ladakh’s demand for constitutional safeguards and statehood gains national momentum or faces further suppression.