Ladakh, a region long celebrated for its serene landscapes and peace-loving communities, has been plunged into turmoil after the detention of renowned educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). The move has drawn sharp criticism, with many alleging that the Union government is attempting to suppress a growing local movement demanding constitutional safeguards.
Unmet promises spark unrest
The crisis traces back to 2019, when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government carved Ladakh out of Jammu and Kashmir and granted it Union territory status. At the time, the BJP promised protections under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, which provides regions with a Scheduled Tribe majority some level of self-governance.
However, five years on, those assurances remain unfulfilled. Unemployment among Ladakhi youth has risen steadily, intensifying local frustration. Wangchuk, already a globally recognised innovator and environmentalist, emerged as the leading face of a broad-based movement calling for these safeguards.
Fast turns violent
On September 10, Wangchuk and several others began a hunger strike to press their demands. After 15 days, youth wings of the Leh Apex Body and various religious associations called for demonstrations. The protest spiralled into violence after police reportedly fired teargas, though accounts differ on whether the unrest was spontaneous or provoked.
Four people, including a former serviceman, were killed. The violence marked a turning point in the agitation and provided the government with grounds to escalate its response.
Government crackdown
The administration swiftly portrayed the protesters – and Wangchuk in particular – as “anti-national.” On September 27, Wangchuk was detained under the NSA, a stringent law that allows authorities to hold individuals without trial for extended periods.
The day before, the government revoked permission for SECMOL, the educational institution founded by Wangchuk, to receive foreign contributions. Several dozen others linked to the protest movement were also detained, though the charges were not immediately specified.
A press release from the Ladakh administration claimed Wangchuk had been “indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order.” Critics, however, argue that the allegations are unsubstantiated and intended to discredit a peaceful mass movement.
A fragile moment for Ladakh
Observers note that the unrest has highlighted the gap between government promises and delivery since 2019. The demand for constitutional safeguards, especially Sixth Schedule protections, remains central to Ladakh’s political discourse.
For many residents, Wangchuk’s detention represents not only a crackdown on dissent but also an attempt to divert attention from unfulfilled commitments. As tensions continue, the region faces a critical juncture in balancing aspirations for self-governance with the central government’s security-centric approach.
Conclusion
The detention of Sonam Wangchuk has deepened the crisis in Ladakh, galvanising public anger and intensifying the call for constitutional protections. With protests showing no signs of abating, the government’s handling of the issue could shape Ladakh’s political trajectory for years to come.