Renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail on Friday after his arrest in Ladakh, officials confirmed.
Wangchuk’s detention follows violent protests in Leh on September 24, where demonstrators demanding statehood for Ladakh set fire to a BJP office. Four people lost their lives during the unrest. Authorities have accused Wangchuk of “inciting violence” under provisions of the National Security Act (NSA).
The activist had been on a hunger strike, which he ended following the outbreak of violence.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains condemned the arrest, calling it “a direct attack on democracy” and demanded Wangchuk’s immediate release. “Truth can never be imprisoned. Sonam Wangchuk is the voice of Ladakh, not a criminal. Suppressing dissenting voices does not strengthen democracy but weakens it,” he posted on X.
Wangchuk has long advocated for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides for autonomous district councils with legislative and judicial powers in tribal areas. Currently, the Sixth Schedule applies only to Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya.
In the aftermath of the protests, authorities have imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Leh, including a ban on gatherings of five or more people and prohibitions on rallies, marches, or processions without prior approval. Security personnel have been deployed across the district.