The Centre accuses climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of inciting Ladakh's youth for violent protests similar to those in Nepal and Bangladesh, as argued in the Supreme Court amid his ongoing detention under the National Security Act.

Centre Levels Serious Charges Against Sonam Wangchuk in Supreme Court

In a heated Supreme Court hearing, the Central government and Ladakh administration have accused prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of deliberately trying to provoke the younger generation in Ladakh into launching protests akin to the turbulent uprisings seen in Nepal and Bangladesh.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, told a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and P V Varale that Wangchuk's speeches were carefully crafted to incite Gen Z youth. Mehta highlighted how Wangchuk referenced recent agitations in those neighboring countries, along with the Arab Spring, as models for action if demands for Ladakh's statehood and Sixth Schedule protections were not met.

The government's submission paints Wangchuk's rhetoric as an invitation to civil unrest, potentially leading to bloodshed in the strategically sensitive region bordering China and Pakistan. Mehta pointed out Wangchuk's use of phrases like "us versus them," separating Ladakhi people from the central authorities, and calls for a plebiscite or referendum—echoing historical demands in Jammu and Kashmir.

This comes as the court hears a petition filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, challenging his detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), which she claims is illegal and violates fundamental rights.

Background of Detention and Ladakh Protests

Sonam Wangchuk, known for his environmental activism and inspired the Bollywood film "3 Idiots," was detained on September 26, 2025, just two days after violent clashes in Leh over demands for Ladakh's statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides safeguards for tribal areas.

Those protests turned deadly, resulting in four deaths and around 90 injuries, with the government directly blaming Wangchuk for inciting the violence through his public statements. He has been held in Jodhpur Central Jail since then, under provisions of the NSA that allow preventive detention to maintain public order and national security.

Wangchuk's supporters argue that the violence on September 24 cannot be linked to him, noting that he publicly condemned it on social media, calling it a sad day that undermined five years of peaceful struggle—what he termed Ladakh's "tapasya."

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Angmo, contended that the police relied on selective videos and borrowed material to justify the detention, misleading the authorities. On January 29, Wangchuk himself denied any call to overthrow the government like the Arab Spring, asserting his right to democratic protest and criticism.

The hearing remained inconclusive, with arguments set to continue the next day.

Implications for Dissent and Security in Border Region

"He carefully crafted his speech to instigate Gen Z and asked for agitations like in Nepal and Bangladesh and used speeches of Mahatma Gandhi to cover the real intention. This is an invitation to indulge in a kind of civil war with blood bath," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court.

The case underscores tensions between activism and national security concerns in Ladakh, a fragile border area. Critics see the NSA invocation as a tool to suppress legitimate demands for autonomy, while the government views it as necessary to prevent escalation into secessionist activities.

Wangchuk's references to self-immolation sparking the Arab Spring and readiness to sacrifice for change were cited by Mehta as particularly alarming, aimed at impressionable youth.

As the Supreme Court deliberates, the standoff highlights broader debates on free speech, preventive laws, and regional aspirations in India. Wangchuk's detention has drawn protests, including from political groups in Delhi, amplifying calls for his release.

In summary, the Centre's accusations frame Wangchuk's actions as a threat to stability, rooted in the violent protests and his alleged provocative speeches, while his legal team pushes back on grounds of rights violations. The outcome could set precedents for handling dissent in sensitive regions.

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• #Ladakh