Sonam Wangchuk, an activist, was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) a few days after violent protests in Leh over requests to become a state. The government says he started protests by making “provocative statements,” but Wangchuk calls this a scapegoat move and says it could make things worse.
What Caught the Police?
Four people were killed and more than 70 were hurt during a shutdown in Leh that led to the arrest. The government says Wangchuk’s talks, in which he talked about things like the Arab Spring and the Gen Z protests, made people more angry, which led to attacks on offices, including the BJP‘s Leh unit. Authorities say that his words caused a mob to burn down government buildings and party offices.
The government’s explanation
Officials say that the NSA was used to stop more risks to public safety. They say Wangchuk’s words went too far and started to stir up trouble. In addition, his organisation’s FCRA license was taken away because of claims of violations related to the unrest.
Wangchuk’s Answer and Defence
Wangchuk denied starting unrest, which was different from what the government said. He said the accusations were a “scapegoat strategy” meant to take attention away from important problems like constitutional status and autonomy. He made it clear that blaming him alone won’t solve the real problems that young people and people who live in Ladakh are having.
The Protests and Calls
There is unrest because people in the area want to become a state and be added to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This would give them more freedom and protect their land and cultural rights. Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike since September 10 to press these claims. Even though protests were still going on, the strikes were called off.
What It Means and the Risks Ahead
The arrest of the NSA could make things worse between Ladakh and the national government. Using harsh methods could make things worse and stop people from talking to each other. Legal experts warn that taking such strict actions without strong proof can be contested in court.
At the same time, the government is under a lot of pressure to keep things under control while also listening to reasonable regional calls for constitutional protections.
The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk by the NSA is a major step up in the war in Ladakh. As the region deals with calls for independence, how the Center handles this case will have a big impact on whether tensions rise or a way to negotiate comes up.
