Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, widely known for inspiring the character Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots, was arrested by Leh police at 2:30 p.m. today, following violent protests that claimed four lives and injured 90 others. The operation, led by Ladakh Director General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal, comes in the wake of Wednesday’s unrest, driven by demands for statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Wangchuk, a key figure in the Leh Apex Body (LAB), was detained just before a planned press conference, intensifying concerns in the region.

The protests, organized by LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), turned chaotic as supporters clashed with security forces, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and deploy heavy security across Leh and Kargil. The Union Home Ministry accused Wangchuk of inciting violence through provocative statements made during his 15-day hunger strike, which he ended on Wednesday after denouncing the violent turn of events. Wangchuk, a Padma Shri recipient, has rejected these allegations, asserting that his activism has consistently been non-violent and focused on Ladakh’s ecological and cultural preservation.

Wangchuk’s arrest follows a five-year campaign by LAB and KDA for statehood, Sixth Schedule protections, and safeguards against industrial overreach in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region. The 59-year-old activist, who founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), has been a vocal advocate for sustainable development, notably through innovations like ice stupas for water conservation. His recent activism, including a fast-unto-death in March 2024, has drawn global attention but also scrutiny from authorities, who recently revoked SECMOL’s FCRA registration over alleged foreign funding violations.

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While specific charges against Wangchuk remain undisclosed, speculation points to potential invocation of stringent laws like the Public Safety Act. The arrest has sparked outrage among supporters, who fear it may further inflame tensions in the strategically vital union territory. With dialogue between the Centre and protesters stalled after the violence, Wangchuk’s detention underscores the deepening rift over Ladakh’s future, raising urgent questions about balancing regional aspirations with national security imperatives.

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