Sonam Wangchuk is a Himalayan engineer and recognized as innovator and environmental activist from Ladakh. He was arrested on Friday afternoon (26 September 2025), on his way to speak at a press conference. Authorities detained him under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) that provides for long preventive detention without any scope of bail and reason was connection with recent violent protests in Leh, Ladakh.
Sonam Wangchuk’s controversial detention triggered anger among his supporters and provoked national debate.
Who exactly is Sonam Wangchuk?
Sonam Wangchuk is popularly recognized for is innovating work in education and technology in Himalayan region. He founded the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), which aimed to bring changes in government school system in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. He invented the Ice Stupa technique that creates artificial glaciers and used for storing winter water in the form of cone-shaped ice heap. He is also serving as inspiration for the film character “Phunsukh Wangdu” in Bollywood movie “3 Idiots”.
In recent years, Sonam Wangchuk shifted his focus toward the demand for self-rule for Ladakh, making it a separate state and include it under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect unique culture, environment and rights of its indigenous communities. He has promoted non – violent methods which including longer hunger strikes and public awareness campaigns.
Factors Behind the Arrest
The events leading up to the arrest was expansion of protests that turned violent on 24 September 2025. Against this protest, police responded with live ammunition and killed four protesters who were demanding self-rule and statehood for Ladakh. Dozens of people were injured which includes both protestors and security personnel after the police opened fire which results in disperse of crowds. The local offices of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) were among the buildings set on fire. The arrest became a necessary action thereof.
These protests did not happened on their own. They were the result of years of built-up frustration. Ever since Ladakh separated from erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and become a union territory. Locals felt marginalized and asked for stronger constitutional safeguards. Sonam Wangchuk became the main figure of these peaceful protests which often taking the lead or going on hunger strikes.
Reasons and Method of Arrest
Authorities accused Sonam Wangchuk of causing unrest with his speeches, which made the violence worse. The National Security Act (NSA) invoked against him, allowing him to be held for a long time without bail and little court review. Police arrested him when he on his way to address a press conference, the reason as stated above. A senior police officer said Wangchuk might be taken outside Ladakh for interrogation . He was taken from Leh to high security Jodhpur Central Jain in Rajasthan with tight security. His medical examination has been completed and he is being kept in a high security ward under 24-hour surveillance with CCTV monitoring.
After Wangchuk was arrested, some precautionary measures were implemented like curfew in Leh, suspension of mobile internet services to prevent misinformation and closure of schools on temporary basis. The government also canceled the SECMOL’s FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) license. Government said that there were problems with its funding and also that it includes a transfer from Sweden that authorities called “against national interest”. This also added to the reason.
“We have decided to relax the curfew from 1pm to 3pm. It will be relaxed in Old city and in new area, we will relax it from 3:30 pm to 5:30pm ” said DGP Jamwal.
Accusations
Sonam Wangchuk was accused of the following crimes:
- Provoking Violence : Officials blame Wangchuk’s “provocative statements” for the rise in violence on 24 September. Even though he had asked people to stay calm and avoid violence.
- Foreign Funding: SEMCOL’s FCRA(Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) license get canceled by government due to funding problems as it includes transfers from Sweden and other undeclared international funds or donations.
- Pakistan Links: Authorities and Ladakh Director General of Police said that Wangchuk’s trip to climate conference in Pakistan and his contacts with certain people raised national security concerns. The arrest of a Pakistani intelligence officer linked to his circle increased the controversy. Although, no solid proof or evidence has been made public but the accusation stands.
Wangchuk Denies Allegations, Supporters Speak Out
Wangchuk denied all allegations and described them as scapegoating and attempt to deflect blame from real issues facing Ladakh. He said that any violence happened spontaneously because of public frustration. He has always supported peaceful and lawful protests.
Wangchuk’s supporters which includes leaders from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and other activist groups said the charges are “Witch Hunt” and a way to silence Ladakh’s democratic hopes. They believe that all these allegations are baseless.
Especially, the Communist Party of India (Marxist – Leninist) and several civil society groups have criticized the arrest. They compared it to harsh measures used against other critics after Article 370 was removed in Jammu and Kashmir. Social Media and student groups supported Sonam Wangchuk and revived the ‘Free Ladakh’ and ‘Release Wangchuk’ campaigns both offline and online.
The Fight in Court
After Sonam Wangchuk was moved to Jodhpur Jail, his wife filed Habeas Corpus petition in Supreme Court. She challenged both reasons for his detention under NSA (National Security Act) and the way it was carried out without proper legal process. The case has attracted human rights groups and media attention and increased calls for judicial oversight in preventive detention of activists. The Fight for the rights is a long process in Courts.
Many legal experts say that NSA is meant for ‘exceptional situations’ and using it against civil society activists goes against constitutional right to peaceful protest. Courts face pressure to decide how far the government can act in cases of mass protests or accusations of sedition or incitement.
Public Response and Consequences
The arrest created a debate over applying tough security laws to people who protest peacefully. Many people in Ladakh and India believe that the government’s action is harsh and shows a trend of using national security as an excuse to stop local and environmental activism. The public response was in favor with Sonam Wangchuk.
People are also worried about whether the government is keeping the promises made to Ladakh when it became a Union Territory. Particularly regarding about Sixth Schedule protections and self-rule for local communities. The crackdown lead to consequences which includes internet shutdowns, curfews and strong government statements has been criticized by human right groups and some political leaders. While some people say these actions were needed to maintain law and order. Others warn they might anger Ladakhi youth and make the push for self-governance movement.
Why Sonam Wangchuk Matters?
Let’s discuss the answer to the question Why Sonam Wangchuk Matters?
The true “anti – national” act is not dissent. It is the silencing of dissent.
When the government calls Sonam Wangchuk “anti-national” at that time we need to pay attention.
This is the same Wangchuk who created ice stupas for water conservation, inspired the film 3 idiots – the character of Phunsukh Wangdu, spoke at international events like Nobel dialogue and was once trusted government advisor. Yet today, asking for constitutional protections and environmental justice in Ladakh. He is now labeled as a threat to nation.
In Ladakh
Sonam Wangchuk’s activism always focused on protecting fragile environment of homeland. “Over my life, I have watched glaciers disappear. Glaciers that were once right next to roads have now retreated hundreds of meters”, he told Yale’s e360 last year. Why Wangchuk matters? – the contribution he has made answers this question of why he matters.
About development, he warned that “There will be more and bigger roads. All this will cause more local pollution and the glaciers will melt even faster.”
A Pattern
Wangchuk’s case is not unique or only one. Farmers protesting against the government’s laws were hit with water cannons. Students speaking on campuses have been punished or even charges with crimes. NGOs looking into human rights issues have had their licenses cancelled and bank accounts frozen.
India’s constitution allows people to protest. It guarantees the right to speak, gather and disagree. But labeling people “anti – national” punishes them for exercising these rights.
Sonam Wangchuk’s case is both real and symbolic. He risked his health, worked in remote mountains and now faces jail for using his voice.
Democracy is not at risk when people protest, it is at risk when the government cannot accept those protests.
The true “anti – national” act is not speaking out. It is stopping people from speaking out.
What Might Happen Next
Rather than calming the situation, Wangchuk’s arrest has made the push for Ladakh’s autonomy stronger. His supporters believe that Wangchuk’s time in jail will highlight the cause even more. It reflecting his own statement that “my arrest would awaken the people of the country more than my being outside.” The government now faces a tough challenge: keeping law and order while respecting the democratic rights promised to the people of Ladakh.
This might have never happened before in Ladakh.
Now, the Supreme Court decision, political negotiation and response of civil society will decide whether the situation leads to new policy changes or bigger conflict in Ladakh.
So the next step may be forcing the Supreme Court to take action in favour of Sonam Wangchuk.
Conclusion
In the end, arrest of Sonam Wangchuck is a turning point in Ladakh’s fight for autonomy or self-governance. The event highlights long-standing complaints, government is worried about protests and questions about security versus civil rights. As supporters calling for his release and struggle for Ladakh’s future continues, it is clear shows that story is far from over. The coming weeks will be important for both Sonam Wangchuk and Ladakh’s future.
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