Sonam Wangchuk Held Under NSA, Moved to Jodhpur Jail

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the Ladakh statehood movement, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) by Ladakh police on Friday, September 26, 2025. Following his arrest, he was shifted from Leh to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan, where he is currently held under high security. This move follows violent protests in Leh earlier that week, which resulted in four deaths and around 90 injuries.

Wangchuk, aged 59, is known for his advocacy for Ladakh’s statehood and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule, which aims to safeguard the region’s unique cultural and ecological heritage. He began a hunger strike on September 10 to press for these demands but called it off on September 24 as violence unexpectedly broke out during protests. The authorities accuse him of inciting unrest through provocative speeches, referencing movements like the Nepal agitation and the Arab Spring. These allegations were cited as reasons for invoking the NSA, a stringent 1980 law that allows detention for up to 12 months without court proceedings.

The administration and police maintain that Wangchuk’s detention was necessary to restore peace and prevent further deterioration of public order in the fragile region. The Ladakh Directorate of Information & Public Relations stated that Wangchuk’s continued hunger strike and alleged activities were "prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to the maintenance of peace." The government also cancelled the foreign funding licence of an NGO linked to Wangchuk, and a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry was initiated into alleged violations under foreign funding regulations.

However, Wangchuk’s supporters and family dispute these claims, arguing that he has consistently practiced peaceful, Gandhian methods to press for Ladakh’s rights. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, emphasized that Wangchuk is not a threat to public order and that the detention without a clear legal explanation is unwarranted. She also noted that the police ransacked their house during his arrest and have not provided an FIR or detention order copy. Angmo lamented that despite his commitment to peaceful activism, including efforts to support Indian soldiers through innovative shelters and education initiatives, Wangchuk is being treated as a security threat.

The situation reflects a complicated scenario of balancing law and order with democratic rights. The protests themselves began as a peaceful shutdown but escalated when some demonstrators resorted to violence, including setting fire to a BJP office and police vehicles. The government imposed restrictions on assembly and suspended internet services in Leh as precautionary measures.

Opposition parties and activists condemned the detention as a suppression of democratic dissent, with calls for peaceful dialogue to resolve grievances. The Aam Aadmi Party, among others, criticized the central government for branding activists as "traitors" and called for recognising the genuine demands of Ladakh’s people who have long sought protections given the region’s strategic and ecological importance.

In summary, Sonam Wangchuk’s detention under the NSA highlights the tensions in Ladakh between security concerns and the region’s political aspirations. While authorities argue the move is necessary to prevent violence and maintain peace, critics see it as a heavy-handed approach that stifles the voices of legitimate activism. The unfolding situation calls for a sensitive and balanced response to restore calm while addressing the underlying demands peacefully and democratically.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies