India Detains Activist Sonam Wangchuk Following Deadly Ladakh Protests

Indian police arrested activist Sonam Wangchuk after protests in Ladakh left four dead. Authorities imposed a curfew, cut internet, and restricted gatherings. Locals demand statehood and protections promised in 2019 but never delivered. Wangchuk has led calls for autonomy and environmental safeguards.

Indian police on Friday detained activist Sonam Wangchuk in connection with the recent wave of deadly protests in Ladakh that shook the region earlier in the week and left at least four people dead. His arrest marks a significant escalation in the government’s response to mounting unrest in one of India’s most sensitive territories.

Authorities have taken sweeping measures in the aftermath of the violence. Mobile internet services were cut off in Leh, a move widely seen as an attempt to limit communication and the spread of protest-related information. Just a day earlier, officials had already declared a strict curfew across Leh and Kargil districts, banning large gatherings and restricting public assemblies to no more than five people at a time. The measures reflect deep concern in New Delhi about the growing scale and intensity of opposition in the region.

Wangchuk, a well-known figure both in Ladakh and across India for his environmental activism and advocacy for indigenous rights, has become a central voice in the push for greater autonomy. New Delhi has accused him of playing a key role in fueling the demonstrations. His arrest, however, has sparked controversy, as the authorities have not publicly disclosed the charges against him. Reports suggest he was taken into custody just moments before he was due to speak at a press conference on Friday, raising questions about whether his detention was intended to silence dissent.

The political and social unrest in Ladakh is rooted in longstanding grievances that date back to 2019, when the Indian government decided to separate Ladakh from Indian-administered Kashmir and downgrade its status to that of a union territory governed directly by New Delhi. While the move was celebrated by some for administrative reasons, many residents of Ladakh saw it as a betrayal. For decades, they had sought not tighter central control but rather more autonomy, with repeated calls for full statehood and recognition of their distinct cultural and environmental concerns.

The government had at the time assured the people of Ladakh that they would be included in the "Sixth Schedule" of India’s constitution, a special provision that would have empowered them to draft and enforce their own local laws and policies, particularly regarding land, culture, and resource management. Yet, years later, that promise remains unfulfilled. The lack of progress has intensified feelings of neglect and marginalization among Ladakhis, adding to the sense of disillusionment toward the central government.

Wangchuk has emerged as one of the strongest advocates for Ladakh’s political and environmental rights. Earlier, he staged a hunger strike to draw national and international attention to the plight of his people. His demands were clear: either Ladakh must be granted full statehood, with all the associated powers of self-governance, or its land and fragile Himalayan ecosystem — already under severe strain from climate change — must be given constitutional protection. His activism has resonated with many residents, particularly as the region faces growing threats from melting glaciers, erratic weather patterns, and unsustainable development projects.

The arrest of such a prominent figure underscores the tension between local aspirations and central authority. For many in Ladakh, it is a symbol of the broader struggle for dignity, rights, and recognition in a region that is not only geopolitically sensitive but also ecologically fragile. The situation remains volatile, with heavy security deployments in place, and it is uncertain how far the government’s crackdown will go or how the people of Ladakh will respond to what they see as the silencing of their most vocal champion.