Renowned Education and Environment Reformist Sonam Wangchuk Arrested in Ladakh | Read What Ladakh Demands

Udaipur, Sept 26, 2025: Noted educationist and environment reformer, Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by the Ladakh police after the protests in Ladakh that began on September 24, turned violent. Ladakh has witnessed its most violent protests till date, as people protest demanding statehood and safeguards in the Sixth Schedule.

Wangchuk was arrested by the police team led by the DGP of Ladakh, at 2:30pm as per PTI.  A day earlier, on September 25, the license of his NGO that falls under the FC(R)A Act 2010, was also cancelled by the Union Home Ministry, alleging violations. The charges against Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike, and called if off after his fellow protestors were hospitalzed, are not yet clear.

While the MHA defended its action against Wangchuk calling the mob violence and arson instigated by speeches made by Wangchuk, the climate activist has alleged that the government was building up a case against him to exercise control over him, as per media reports.

Till date, the protests in Ladakh over statehood and constitutional protections have left 4 people dead and more than 75 injured, including a few police personnel. Wangchuk has agreed that the peaceful protest by means of a hunger strike, turned violent after his co-protestors, Tashi Dolma aged 60 and Tsering Angchuk aged 72 were hospitalised, leading the youth to resort to violent protests that turned into clashes and ultimately arson.

What is Ladakh demanding?

• Ladakh Demands Statehood: to ensure self-governance and legislative powers beyond its UT status
• Demands Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule: Residents of Ladakh are demanding full inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which currenty has only north eastern states. 90% of Ladakhs population is classified under Scheduled Tribes. Their argument is that the central government has made them vulnerable to land alienation, ecological harm and loss of cultural as well as linguitic identity.
• With a high rate of unemployment, the youth are demanding a separate Public Service Commission, government jobs and reservations.
• They seek separate Parliament seats for Kargil and Leh so as to ensure proper political representation.
• There is also a fear that unchecked tourism and concentrated industrial development can disrupt the local ecology and livelihood.

While the government has provided reservations for locals, but the Sixth Schedule integration is being resisted citing security and border control.