The Centre and the Union Territory administration of Ladakh on Tuesday defended the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), stating that he was allegedly instigating people in a sensitive border region adjoining Pakistan and China. The submission was made before the Supreme Court during the hearing of a plea challenging his detention.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale that all procedural safeguards under the NSA were strictly followed. He argued that Wangchuk’s activities posed a threat to regional stability, given Ladakh’s strategic location and heightened security sensitivities.

Mehta further contended that Wangchuk attempted to influence younger generations by invoking protests similar to those seen in Nepal, Bangladesh, and even the Arab Spring, which had led to the overthrow of governments in several countries. The Centre maintained that such references amounted to instigation and warranted preventive detention.

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The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, who termed the detention illegal and arbitrary, alleging violation of his fundamental rights. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Angmo, argued that the authorities relied on selective and “borrowed material” to justify the detention order.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year, two days after violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and over 90 injured. The government accused him of inciting the violence, an allegation he has strongly denied.

In his defence, Wangchuk stated that he has consistently advocated peaceful democratic protest and condemned the violence through social media. Angmo argued that attributing the unrest to Wangchuk was “preposterous,” citing his decades-long contribution to education, innovation, and environmental conservation. The Supreme Court is set to continue hearing the matter on Wednesday.

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