Climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk was arrested at his residence in Leh on Friday, prior to a scheduled press conference. This action follows the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on Thursday that accused him of inciting violence, just two days after protests demanding statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule resulted in four fatalities and 90 injuries.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of Wangchuk’s organization, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), citing violations, including unauthorized fund transfers from Sweden. The MHA invoked Section 14 of the FCRA for the immediate cancellation.
Furthermore, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry into alleged FCRA violations concerning the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), which recently had its land allotment revoked.
Wangchuk had begun a 35-day hunger strike on September 10, advocating for the Centre to engage in dialogue with Ladakhi leaders about statehood and Sixth Schedule status. He called off the strike on Wednesday after violent protests erupted in Leh, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries.
The MHA claimed that Wangchuk’s speeches, which drew parallels with movements like the Arab Spring and Nepal’s Gen Z protests, incited unrest in Leh. The ministry pointed to incidents including the burning of a local BJP office and several government vehicles as a direct consequence.
Wangchuk rejected the MHA’s accusations, framing the government’s actions as a form of “witch hunting.” He indicated a potential invocation of the Public Safety Act (PSA) against him, which would enable his detention for up to two years without trial or bail. “I don’t fear detention. Police can come anytime to arrest me,” he stated.
His arrest has faced widespread condemnation. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah labeled it “unjust,” criticizing the central government for failing to fulfill its commitments. He emphasized that assurances given by a Union minister prior to the Hill Council elections went unhonored after the BJP’s electoral success.
Political activist Sajjad Kargili denounced the arrest as “baseless” and described it as a “brutal crackdown on Ladakhi leadership.” He affirmed, “Our struggle for Statehood and Sixth Schedule will continue; no detention or witch-hunt can deter us.”
Actor Raksh Raj remarked, “You can cage a bird, but not its song. You can arrest Wangchuk, but you can’t silence the truth he stands for.”
Congress leader Rashid Alvi questioned the government’s reluctance to grant statehood, alleging that the BJP’s inability to form a local government is driving a strategy of indirect rule. He urged, “I politely ask the Prime Minister to douse this spark before it becomes a fire.”
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir characterized the arrest as “unnecessary” and cautioned that it could exacerbate tensions in Ladakh.
The situation surrounding Wangchuk raises ongoing concerns about political freedoms and governance in the region, reflecting broader issues related to statehood and local autonomy.
Tags: Sonam Wangchuk, climate activist, arrested, Ladakhi leadership, crackdown
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