Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist and education reformer leading the movement for statehood and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh, was detained by police in Leh on Friday. His arrest occurred moments before a scheduled press conference regarding the ongoing unrest. Authorities allege that Wangchuk incited violent protests that began in Leh on Wednesday, which tragically resulted in four fatalities and five injuries due to police action. The central government claims that Wangchuk’s speeches and efforts to mobilize the community significantly contributed to the escalation of tensions. Recognized internationally for his environmental advocacy in the Himalayas, Wangchuk has played a pivotal role in rallying the people of Ladakh to protect their delicate ecosystem and seek increased political representation.
Prior to his arrest, he stated that imprisoning him might create more difficulties for the authorities than allowing him to remain free. His detention has heightened the existing tensions in the region, where residents are already frustrated over issues concerning identity, autonomy, and ecological protection. Since its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, Ladakh’s population has continuously called for statehood, fearing that unchecked industrialization and demographic shifts will occur without constitutional safeguards. This unexpected development has positioned both the central government and the Ladakh movement at a crucial juncture, with Wangchuk’s detention likely serving as a rallying point for his supporters.