Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk arrested amid protests demanding statehood

Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday, two days after protests in Leh demanding statehood turned violent on September 24. Demonstrators had sought inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, with clashes leading to attacks on the BJP office in Leh.

The unrest comes barely six years after Ladakh was granted Union Territory status in 2019, a long-standing demand that had shaped Ladakhi politics for decades. The NDA government’s move gave Ladakh a distinct identity after years under Jammu & Kashmir’s administration. The current demand for full statehood, many note, is a recent and premature escalation, particularly when Jammu & Kashmir itself has not yet regained statehood.

The September 24 bandh was initially peaceful but grew tense when two protestors fell ill on the previous day, triggering a surge of agitated youth at the protest site. The Apex Body Leh (ABL), which has been spearheading the agitation, claimed the movement remains peaceful and distanced Wangchuk from the violence. However, officials underline that the ABL is a new grouping with no history of electoral participation, unlike established parties.

Opposition leaders, meanwhile, quickly latched on to the incident. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal called the arrest “dictatorial,” former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah defended Wangchuk, and Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir sought a judicial inquiry. The government, however, maintains that Ladakh’s UT status is still new and that statehood cannot be rushed.

Adding to the controversy, officials confirmed that Wangchuk’s NGO, SECMOL, recently had its FCRA licence cancelled, which earlier allowed it to receive foreign funds. The cancellation has fueled speculation over the role of outside influences in sustaining the protests.

On the ground, Leh remains tense but largely calm. Residents are known for their peaceful nature, and observers note that the agitation reflects the frustration of a small section, rather than a broad public uprising.