Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested today, September 26, 2025, by Leh police, two days after violent protests in Ladakh left four dead and the BJP office in flames, marking a dramatic escalation in the region’s push for statehood and tribal rights. Wangchuk, on an indefinite hunger strike since September 10, was taken into custody from his village, where he had retreated after ending his fast earlier this week due to health concerns. The arrest, under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), comes amid accusations from the Centre that his “provocative speeches” incited the mob violence on September 24. The Leh Apex Body (LAB), which Wangchuk leads, condemned the move as “scapegoating,” vowing intensified protests while Kargil joins in solidarity shutdowns.
Leh remains under a strict curfew today, September 26, 2025, as Ladakh’s shutdown demanding statehood and tribal protections enters its third day, with tensions lingering after yesterday’s violent clashes that left four dead and the BJP office in flames. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), leading the movement, have extended the protest, shutting down schools, shops, and businesses across Leh and Kargil. District Magistrate of Leh, Santi Ranjan Biswas, ordered the closure of educational institutions and key facilities, citing public safety amid the unrest. “We regret the inconvenience, but peace is paramount,” Biswas stated in an official notice, as police patrols roam empty streets and checkpoints block major roads.
The timing is explosive. #Wangchuk, hospitalized twice this week for weakness during his 16-day fast, had just broken it when the violence erupted in Leh. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) blamed him directly in a statement yesterday, saying his references to “Arab Spring-style protests” and “Gen Z uprisings in Nepal” misled youth and stirred the mob that torched the BJP office and clashed with police, resulting in four deaths and over 60 injuries. “Despite leaders urging him to call off the hunger strike, he continued, and left for his village in an ambulance without controlling the situation,” the MHA said, adding that his NGO, SECMOL, had its FCRA license canceled for violations. Wangchuk, speaking to The Hindu before his arrest, dismissed the charges as a “scapegoat tactic,” saying, “My imprisonment could cause more problems than my freedom – I’m not afraid.” He denied instigating violence, claiming he appealed for calm in Ladakhi and Hindi when gunshots rang out.
The arrest has ignited fury. LAB spokesperson Padma Angmo called it “an attack on non-violence,” noting Wangchuk’s history of peaceful activism, from his 2024 21-day fast to climate marches. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) extended the shutdown, closing Leh and Kargil completely – schools, markets, and roads sealed under curfew. District Magistrate Santi Ranjan Biswas imposed restrictions on gatherings, but protesters vowed to continue, with #ReleaseSonamWangchuk trending alongside #LadakhProtest. In Jammu, solidarity rallies formed, with NC’s Omar Abdullah tweeting, “Arresting the voice of peace is the real violence – free Wangchuk now.” PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti labeled it “frustration disguised as punishment,” urging the Centre to engage instead of suppressing.
Wangchuk’s detention under PSA, which allows two years without trial, fits a pattern in J&K, where the law has been used against over 1,000 since 2019, per Amnesty International. The activist, known globally for his 3 Idiots role and climate work, began the strike demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule protections for tribal lands, and local job quotas to halt outsider dominance. Post-Article 370, Ladakh’s hill councils lost powers, fueling fears of cultural erosion from mining and tourism. Home Minister Amit Shah met leaders in March 2024, promising safeguards, but inaction led to this boil-over. The BJP office arson on September 24, where protesters smashed windows and doused it with fuel, symbolized betrayal – BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya called it “Congress-orchestrated,” accusing a local councillor of leading the mob.
The violence left Leh a ghost town under curfew, with Kargil following suit. Police and CRPF patrols doubled, but reports of minor scuffles persist. Wangchuk’s SECMOL, focused on education and environment, lost its foreign funding license, a blow to its work. Amnesty slammed the arrest as “repressive,” calling PSA a “dark tool” violating free speech. The LAB plans more hunger strikes, with two protesters still critical at SNM Hospital.
For Ladakh’s 3 lakh people in harsh isolation, this is a fight for home. Leh’s markets are barren, but spirit endures – whispers of justice in the thin air. Wangchuk’s arrest crossed a line – a peaceful voice silenced.
The demands are rooted in betrayal. Post-Article 370, Ladakh’s hill councils lost authority, leaving land and jobs in Delhi’s control. “We backed BJP for safeguards, but got silence,” a LAB source said. The Sixth Schedule, a Northeast model for tribal autonomy, would protect culture from mining and outsiders. Wangchuk’s fast, drawing from his climate work and 3 Idiots fame, has global attention, with #StatehoodForLadakh trending alongside #LadakhProtest. Solidarity rallies in Jammu and Srinagar show the issue’s reach.
For Ladakh’s 3 lakh people in harsh, high-altitude isolation, this is a fight for identity. Leh’s avenues are silent, but resolve burns – whispers of justice cut the cold. The BJP blaze was a threshold crossed – a desperate plea from an overlooked land. As curfew holds, Delhi’s call is crucial. Talks or escalation? Ladakh endures; the Centre must respond. What’s your view on the path forward?