‘Ulterior motives, foreign links’: Inside the govt’s case against Sonam Wangchuk

Climate activist shifted to Jodhpur jail as Ladakh unrest leaves four dead

The Union Territory of Ladakh is on edge. On Friday, noted climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and flown to Jodhpur Central Jail, two days after violent protests in Leh left four people dead.

Wangchuk, who has long championed Ladakh’s demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect tribal rights, had been on a hunger strike and was slated to address supporters at 2:30 pm. Instead, he was taken into custody.

Why the administration acted - ‘Attempts to sabotage 6th Schedule talks’
Ladakh’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dr SD Singh Jamwal on Saturday alleged that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was trying to derail the ongoing talks between the Centre and local stakeholders over 6th Schedule status and statehood.

Jamwal said the government had already been holding discussions with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), with preliminary rounds scheduled in Delhi on September 25–26. But according to him, Wangchuk turned his hunger strike into a platform to “hijack” the process.

“Ever since Ladakh became a UT, there has been a political demand for 6th Schedule and statehood. The Leh Apex Body and KDA have had lengthy discussions with the government… This is an ongoing process, but attempts were made to sabotage it. A so-called environmental activist and other groups with questionable credibility tried to hijack this platform. The first name here is Sonam Wangchuk. The hunger protest was made a stage to vitiate peace and law and order,” Jamwal said.

Pakistan PIO arrested in probe

In a fresh twist, Jamwal also disclosed that a Pakistan Person of Indian Origin (PIO) allegedly linked to Wangchuk was arrested recently. The DGP claimed the individual had been “in touch” with the activist and passing information across the border.

“We arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was in touch with him (Sonam Wangchuk) and reporting back across. We have records of this. He had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan, also visited Bangladesh. So there is a big question mark on him. Investigation is on,” Jamwal said.

‘History of instigating’

The Ladakh police chief further alleged that Wangchuk has a 'history of instigating' people, pointing to his past speeches where he drew parallels with the Arab Spring, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Jamwal added that an investigation into the activist’s funding sources and potential FCRA violations is already underway.

“Sonam Wangchuk has made references to the Arab Spring, Nepal, Bangladesh… The investigation into his funding is going on for FCRA violation,” the DGP said.

What happened on September 24

According to police accounts, 5,000–6,000 people gathered in Leh on September 24, overwhelming security forces. Government offices, political party buildings, and vehicles were set ablaze.

Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal told reporters that CRPF personnel were beaten, three women officers were trapped inside a burning building, and one paramilitary officer remains critically injured.

Police firing to disperse the crowd resulted in four civilian deaths. Over 70 police officers and an equal number of civilians were injured, with some in critical condition.

“This was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the upcoming talks with the Centre,” Jamwal said, adding that preliminary meetings were scheduled for September 25–26, followed by a high-level committee meet on October 6.

Opposition lashes out

Wangchuk’s detention has sparked a political storm. The Congress accused the BJP-led Centre of hiding behind the NSA to deflect attention from its 'failure' to control the violence.

“The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk is nothing but an attempt to cover up the abysmal failure of the BJP to maintain law and order in Ladakh,” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

The Aam Aadmi Party staged a candlelight vigil in New Delhi, while the Trinamool Congress also condemned the move.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray linked his arrest to India-Pakistan amtch and questioned the Centre over the arrest, saying the one who developed solar tent technology for our Army is being branded as anti-national, while cricket matches are allowed to be played against Pakistan.