Modi Government Slams NSA on Sonam Wangchuk as Ladakh Erupts: Police Firing Kills Kargil Veteran in Protest Over Sixth Schedule

Renowned educator Sonam Wangchuk was arrested under the draconian NSA following violent protests in Leh where four died. The core demand is Sixth Schedule protection for Ladakh.

Dec 1, 2025 - 11:23

The Shock Arrest: Sonam Wangchuk Detained Under NSA

On September 26, 2025, a wave of shock and anger swept across the country after renowned environmentalist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by police and reportedly detained under the National Security Act (NSA). Without a court order, police raided his home, seized his electronic devices, and arrested him. His wife was later informed he was being flown to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan, but at the time of reporting, his exact whereabouts and well-being remain untraceable.

The NSA is typically reserved for terrorists, allowing for up to a year of detention without a trial or required court appearance. Using this act against a globally awarded innovator, educator, and lifelong proponent of Gandhian non-violence marks a significant escalation against the ongoing movement in Ladakh.

The Core Demand: Sixth Schedule and Corporate Fears

Wangchuk's arrest is linked to his five-year-long, high-profile activism demanding Statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The demand is rooted in the fear that without these protections, Ladakh’s fragile environment, indigenous culture, and unique landscape are vulnerable to exploitation.

BJP's Broken Promise: The BJP had promised Sixth Schedule protection in its 2019 election manifesto.
Environmental Threat: The protestors, led by Wangchuk, claim the government is now reneging on this promise to allow corporate interests (specifically mentioning Adani and Ambani) to take over the region's land for mining and deforestation, jeopardizing the environment and the local economy, which has already seen a 26.5% unemployment rate among graduates—nearly double the national average.

The Violence That Triggered the Crackdown

Wangchuk’s latest protest, an indefinite hunger strike, was a continuation of years of ignored appeals, including multiple fasts and a 1,000 km march from Leh to Delhi. The situation turned violent after two hunger strikers collapsed on September 23, 2025.

September 24 Clashes: On September 24, massive crowds gathered in Leh for a bandh. Years of pent-up frustration over unemployment and neglect culminated in clashes between protestors and the police. Vehicles were burned, and the BJP headquarters and Hill Council Office were attacked.
Kargil Veteran Killed: Eyewitness reports claim police resorted to firing, killing four people and injuring over 80. One of the deceased was Sewang Tharchin, a Kargil War veteran who had fought on the front lines for three months. His death has sparked outrage, with his father questioning how the government could treat patriots this way.
Wangchuk Condemns Violence: Following the incident, Sonam Wangchuk called off his non-violent fast, citing the violence, echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s decision after the Chauri Chaura incident. He condemned the violence but laid the responsibility on the government for ignoring five peaceful protests, which "created this situation."

The Smear Campaign and Debunked Allegations

Immediately following the violence, the government launched a coordinated campaign of character assassination against Wangchuk, using government agencies and the BJP IT Cell.

Allegation	Government Action/Claim	Reality and Context
"Chinese Agent"	BJP affiliates shared an edited clip of Wangchuk, claiming he said he would show the Chinese Army the way into India if the government didn't listen.	The full, unedited clip shows Wangchuk quoting a local comedian's satire on the government's inaction and was an appeal to the government to secure the border.
"Anti-National Funding"	Home Ministry cancelled his organization SEcMOL's FCRA license, citing minor technical errors and claiming a grant for "Food Sovereignty" was actually for studying "India’s Sovereignty."	SEcMOL stated that the funds were clearly for Food Sovereignty (food security) and that the small cash deposits cited were from the sale of a bus, which was correctly deposited.
Pakistan Connection	The IT cell highlighted his February 2025 visit to Pakistan and meeting with Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus.	Wangchuk visited Pakistan for a Global Climate Conference and openly shared the trip on social media. The photo with Yunus was five years old (2020) when Yunus held no political role.
Old FIRs	BJP supporters circulated a 2007 notice from the Leh DM accusing Wangchuk of FCRA violation and anti-national connections.	This notice was part of a harassment campaign against several NGOs by the then-DM, was widely refuted by local council leaders at the time, and Wangchuk was acquitted of all charges by the court in 2013.
3 Idiots Conspiracy	Trolls claimed the 2009 movie 3 Idiots (inspired by Wangchuk) was a UPA government PR effort to launch him as a future political opponent 16 years later.	This claim is baseless and was used to discredit his genuine achievements.

A Legacy of Innovation and Service

Wangchuk’s work, which inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the film 3 Idiots, has transformed education and sustainability in Ladakh.

SEcMOL: His Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SEcMOL), founded in 1988, revolutionized local education by catering to Ladakhi children who struggled with the standardized curriculum. Under his guidance, the success rate of local students in board exams rose from 5% to 75%.
Ice Stupa: He innovated the famous Ice Stupa technique, a form of water harvesting where artificial glaciers are built in winter to melt in spring, providing crucial water for agriculture during the dry season.
Solar Tents: He designed solar-heated tents for Indian soldiers, capable of keeping the interior at 15°C even when the outside temperature drops to -14°C, directly aiding the Indian Army in high-altitude areas.

Despite his immense contributions to the nation, Wangchuk is now detained, illustrating the severe challenges to democratic expression in India.