Sonam Wangchuk, a Padma Shri awardee and founder of SECMOL, known for his educational and environmental innovations, was arrested on September 26, 2025, in Leh under the National Security Act. This arrest came after violent protests demanding statehood, in which four civilians were killed and more than 90 injured.
Let’s show the voice of the common people#ISupportSonamWangchuk
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/l3iHirbKns
— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) September 26, 2025
These protests have been ongoing since Ladakh was made a Union Territory in 2019. Protesters are demanding full statehood and protections under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard tribal lands and the environment from outside development projects.
Authorities claim that Wangchuk’s statements incited unrest, after which he was sent to Jodhpur Central Jail. At the same time, the Union Home Ministry canceled his NGO’s FCRA license, while curfew was imposed and internet was suspended in Leh.
This is not the first time—Modi’s government has been oppressing him for years. The Modi government is equally responsible for the injustices happening in Ladakh.
Instead of giving Ladakh’s people their rights, Prime Minister Modi has arrested such a great person like Sonam Wangchuk to suppress the people’s voice so they stop demanding their rights.
How is it possible that such simple matters cannot be understood by the Modi government? For how long will this injustice against the people of Ladakh continue? This oppression must stop now.
The Modi government thinks it can silence people by arrests and force, just like America has done in the past. But this is a false belief.
Historically, the people of Ladakh had never seen such oppression before Modi’s government came to power. Since then, the oppression has only continued without end.
In Leh, the internet has been suspended and curfew imposed so that the outside world cannot hear their voices or know what is really happening in Ladakh.
The Modi government still has time to stop and learn lessons from Sri Lanka and Nepal, where young people rose up and forced their governments to face the consequences.
Otherwise, the Modi government may end up crying, but no ally will stand by its side.