Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), just two days after violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh left four dead and nearly 100 injured. Wangchuk, a central figure in the agitation, was taken into custody around 2.30 pm by a team led by Ladakh Police chief SD Singh Jamwal and immediately shifted to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. Mobile internet services across Leh were suspended as curfew-like restrictions continued in the region.
The arrest came at a time when Wangchuk was scheduled to join a virtual press briefing from his village. Leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance has spearheaded the five-year-long agitation, called the move &ldquo;unfortunate&rdquo; and politically motivated.
His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, strongly condemned the arrest, accusing authorities of spreading &ldquo;false narratives&rdquo; to tarnish his reputation. She alleged their home was ransacked by police and said, &ldquo;It is the worst form of democracy&hellip; without any trial, without any reason, they have just taken him away like a criminal.&rdquo;
Opposition leaders across Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh also expressed sharp criticism. Congress called the action a diversion tactic to &ldquo;cover up the BJP&rsquo;s failure to ensure law and order in Ladakh.&rdquo; National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the government&rsquo;s intent to arrest him was evident: &ldquo;The way the Centre was after him since yesterday, it seemed they would do something like this.&rdquo; PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti termed the arrest &ldquo;deeply disturbing,&rdquo; describing Wangchuk as a &ldquo;lifelong advocate of peace.&rdquo;
Wangchuk, known globally for his innovations in education and sustainable technology, has long been a strong voice for Ladakh&rsquo;s constitutional rights. He ended a 35-day hunger strike earlier this week after violence broke out in Leh, where mobs set ablaze the BJP office, Hill Council building, and several vehicles. Police fired to disperse the protesters, escalating tensions further.
Hours before his arrest, Wangchuk had questioned why someone like him, who dedicated his life to education and innovation, was being punished while &ldquo;those who loot the government roam free.&rdquo; He told supporters, &ldquo;All these schools and the university I built provide free education. This person goes to jail, while those playing politics are free. The nation must see what kind of India we are living in.&rdquo;
For many in Ladakh, his detention marks not only the silencing of a prominent activist but also a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for identity, statehood, and dignity.

Sonam Wangchuk held under NSA, moved to Jodhpur

Activist’s arrest sparks outrage as govt faces charges of ‘witch-hunting’ in Ladakh

Sonam Wangchuk held under NSA, moved to Jodhpur

Activist’s arrest sparks outrage as govt faces charges of ‘witch-hunting’ in Ladakh

September 27, 2025 | 09:09 IST