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Who Is Sonam Wangchuk and Why Is He in the Spotlight?
Sonam Wangchuk shines as a climate activist and educator from Ladakh, India. He invents smart solutions, like ice stupas for water storage. Right now, he’s in Jodhpur jail, detained under the National Security Act (NSA). This law allows holding someone for up to a year without trial. His arrest on September 26, 2025, sparked debates. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, fiercely defends him, using X and media to share facts.
Wangchuk pushes for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule status. This would give locals more control over land and culture. But a protest turned deadly, and now he faces serious accusations. Let’s dive into his story, the protests, and why it matters.
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The Protest That Shook Leh
On September 24, 2025, a massive protest erupted in Leh, Ladakh. People demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. Sadly, chaos broke out. Four people died, including a soldier. Ninety others got injured. Protesters set a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office on fire. Police fired live rounds in response, and a strict curfew followed. On October 2, 2025, the curfew eased briefly, letting residents buy essentials. Streets buzzed with vehicles and shoppers as 44 people faced arrests for the violence.
Wangchuk, backed by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, started a 35-day hunger strike on September 10, 2025, at Leh’s NDS Memorial Park. Villagers joined in turns to show support. After the violence, he stopped his fast and condemned the clashes. Yet, police arrested him two days later while he headed to a press conference.
Accusations of Fueling Violence
Authorities blame Wangchuk for the unrest. They claim his speeches incited the crowd. He mentioned the Arab Spring and youth protests in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Ladakh’s police chief, SD Singh Jamwal, pointed to Wangchuk’s YouTube talks as proof. A viral video, shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya, falsely claims Wangchuk said, “We will turn India into Nepal and Bangladesh.”
However, the full 35-minute speech, posted on the Ladakh People’s Voice YouTube channel, shows no such thing. Wangchuk cited those countries as examples of people-driven change. He stressed peaceful methods, like hunger strikes. Angmo, in a September 28, 2025, interview with The Print, said his words were twisted. “He never called for violence,” she clarified.
Alleged Pakistan Connections
Police probe Wangchuk for possible links to Pakistan. This stems from a Pakistani Intelligence Operative’s arrest last month. The operative shared protest videos across the border. Jamwal flagged Wangchuk’s foreign trips, including one to Pakistan for a Dawn newspaper event, as suspicious.
Angmo rejects these claims. She says all trips were for professional climate work, invited by reputed groups. In February 2025, they attended a UN and Dawn Media event in Pakistan. Many countries joined. “Glaciers don’t check borders,” she told PTI. She questions why India plays cricket with Pakistan, yet Wangchuk faces scrutiny for a UN event. Angmo also denies any financial wrongdoings, insisting no proof exists.
The Muhammad Yunus Photo Stir
A 2020 photo of Wangchuk hugging Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader, resurfaced. Social media users falsely tie it to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024. Hasina now lives in exile in India, and Yunus leads until elections, likely by February 2026. Delhi-Dhaka ties remain tense over minority attacks.
On September 29, 2025, Angmo posted two photos on X. One shows PM Narendra Modi meeting Yunus in April 2025 at a Bangkok summit. India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar later raised concerns about Bangladesh’s rhetoric. The other photo captures Wangchuk with Yunus at the British high commission in Dhaka, when Hasina ruled. Angmo asks, “If the PM can meet Yunus, why not Wangchuk?” She calls out the unfair “anti-national” label.
Fighting the “Anti-National” Narrative
Angmo defends Wangchuk’s record. She says officials misread his speeches. He once praised PM Modi in a Pakistan talk in February 2025. No one minded then. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah agrees. On September 28, 2025, at a book launch, he slammed the Centre for breaking Ladakh promises. “They saw no issue when Wangchuk backed Modi in 2019 for Union Territory status,” Abdullah said. “Now, they claim a Pakistan link.”
Karnataka’s Rajya Dalit Sangharsh Samiti also supports Wangchuk. On October 3, 2025, convener Arjun Bhadre called his detention an attack on democracy. He accused the BJP-led Centre of misusing NSA to silence Ladakh’s demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule status, a public service commission, and more parliamentary seats.
Tax Disputes and Government Probes
Wangchuk stands out on taxes. Ladakh residents, as scheduled tribes, get exemptions under Section 10(26) of the Income Tax Act. This covers salaries, business profits, and fees earned locally, but not outside investments. On September 25, 2025, Wangchuk told ANI he pays taxes anyway. “It’s my duty, and I can afford it,” he said. Yet, he receives tax summons, which he finds odd.
The government accuses his group of violating Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) rules. A CBI probe began. Wangchuk calls it a “witch hunt” tied to his protests. Angmo echoes this, alleging a “full-scale witch hunt” to break his spirit.
Legal Battle for Freedom
On October 3, 2025, Angmo filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court. She challenges Wangchuk’s NSA detention and demands his release. Posting on X, she said she has no news of his health or detention conditions. “It’s been a week,” she wrote. She sent a letter to PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, and others, demanding answers. “Am I not entitled to see or speak to my husband?” she asked. She insists Wangchuk poses no threat to India.
Angmo refutes claims of Pakistani operative ties. She accuses Ladakh police of having an agenda to block Sixth Schedule status. “They want a scapegoat,” she said.
Support Grows Stronger
On October 2, 2025, activists and environmentalists staged a sit-in outside Jodhpur’s collectorate office. They demanded Wangchuk’s release. Social activist RK Meghwal called him an “inventor and humanitarian.” He blamed Leh police for firing first on protesters, sparking the violence. “Wangchuk stopped his protest to avoid more chaos, but they arrested him anyway,” Meghwal said.
Meghwal praised Wangchuk’s work, like improving glacier technology used worldwide. He also noted Wangchuk’s protests against solar projects harming Rajasthan’s grasslands. Meghwal criticized the Centre for backtracking on Sixth Schedule promises after scrapping Article 370. He claimed the government favors big companies and solar agencies over tribal rights.
The Leh Apex Body, upset by police actions, refused talks with the Centre. They rejected a planned October 6, 2025, meeting after the violence. “You beat protesters and then call for talks?” Meghwal said, echoing their stance.
Why This Matters for India
Wangchuk’s case raises big questions. Can activists speak freely without fear of jail? The Leh violence shows deep frustration. Ladakh wants more control as a Union Territory. The Sixth Schedule could protect tribal lands, but delays fuel anger.
The NSA’s use worries many. It allows long detentions without clear reasons. Angmo’s X posts fight misinformation effectively. Yet, false videos spread fast, hurting trust. Wangchuk’s tax-paying habit and climate work make the “anti-national” tag seem unfair.
Support grows daily. Abdullah and groups like Karnataka’s Samiti speak up. Protesters in Jodhpur add pressure. On X, hashtags like #ISupportSonamWangchuk gain traction. People share clips demanding justice. As of October 4, 2025, Wangchuk remains in jail, but calls for his release grow louder.
FAQs About Sonam Wangchuk and Ladakh’s Fight
Who is Sonam Wangchuk?
He’s an Indian engineer, educator, and climate activist. His ice stupa invention helps store water in Ladakh.
Why did Ladakh protest?
Locals demand statehood, Sixth Schedule status, a public service commission, and more parliamentary seats for autonomy.
Why was Wangchuk arrested?
Police blame him for inciting violence on September 24, 2025. They arrested him under NSA on September 26.
Are Pakistan link claims true?
Angmo says no. His trips were for UN-backed climate work. No solid evidence supports the claims.
What is the Sixth Schedule?
It creates Autonomous District Councils for tribal areas, giving them power over laws and local policing.
How can I support Wangchuk?
Share facts on social media. Use #ISupportSonamWangchuk. Follow updates from trusted sources like Angmo’s X posts.