Why did Sonam Wangchuck get Arrested?

Sonam Wangchuk is a well-known engineer, educator, climate activist, and social reformer from Ladakh. He founded SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh) and has consistently been a strong advocate for sustainable development, local governance, and human rights in the region.

On Friday, September 27, 2025, Sonam Wangchuk got arrested by the police and was sent to the Jodhpur Central Jail following the protest demanding Statehood for Ladakh and protections under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh. He was detained under the provision of the National Security Act.

He was held after the central government accused him of instigating the Gen Z that led the violent protest in the Leh on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of the Four people and many people got injured. 

Background of Ladakh, Statehood Demands, and Wangchuk’s Activism

After the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the two separate Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was made without a legislative assembly. Later, Jammu and Kashmir regained its legislative assembly. But, in Ladakh, many people expressed concerns about political marginalisation, loss of local control over land and resources, environmental pressures, and the lack of constitutional safeguards.

Over the Years Sonam Wangchuk and several other activists felt betrayed and started a movement demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India provides special protections for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. These areas have autonomous district and regional councils with legislative, executive, and judicial powers to protect their cultural and political rights.

But in recent months, tensions between the central government and Sonam Wangchuk have escalated because of the regular protest, hunger strikes and march to Delhi for the same demands of statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India. 

While talking to the media on Thursday, Wangchuk said that the central government wants to file a case against him under the National Security Act and imprison him for two years. He said, “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail could pose an even bigger problem for the government than Sonam Wangchuk outside of jail.”

Sonam Wangchuk is now arrested and sent to the Jodhpur Central Jail stating that he was involved in activities harmful for the security of the state and holding him in Leh was not in the public Interest. 

These were some of the details regarding the ongoing events started after the arrest of the Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuck. Ultimately, it is up to the people of India to decide whether this arrest was legal or not.

Team Profile

Rabnish KashyapFounder & Editor-in-chief

Rabnish Kashyap is a journalist holding a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the prestigious Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. Currently, he is the founder and editor-in-chief of the News India official. His expertise in crime and legal journalism is a result of his genuine interest in these areas and his dedication to bringing important stories to light.

Latest entries

• Editorial27 September 2025Why did Sonam Wangchuck get Arrested?
• English8 May 2025Operation Sindoor: ‘It’s All Over Social Media’ — Pak Minister Fails to Prove Bogus Jet Strike Claim!
• English10 April 2025CBFC Faces Backlash Over Heavy-Handed Censorship of Period Drama Film “Phule”
• English20 February 2025Rekha Gupta is Set to Become the 4th Woman Chief Minister of Delhi – But Her First Move Surprised Everyone!