The government has accused Wangchuk of inciting violence with ‘provocative statements,’ though civil society leaders and opposition parties have rejected this narrative
NEW DELHI — The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the arrest of climate activist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk, who has emerged as a leading voice in the ongoing agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
In a scathing statement on Saturday, the CPI(M) said Wangchuk’s detention under the draconian National Security Act (NSA) was a “clear manifestation of the authoritarian character” of the BJP-led union government and its “contempt for the genuine aspirations of the people of Ladakh.”
“Instead of honouring its promises to the people of Ladakh, the government has chosen repression over dialogue,” the party said. “This is not just a betrayal but a grave attack on fundamental rights and democratic freedoms.”
Wangchuk was arrested earlier this week after weeks of mounting unrest in Leh, where peaceful protests demanding constitutional safeguards turned violent on September 24, leaving four protestors dead and dozens injured. The government has accused Wangchuk of inciting violence with “provocative statements,” though civil society leaders and opposition parties have rejected this narrative as a politically motivated witch-hunt.
The activist, known for his sustainable innovations and is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, had been on a 35-day hunger strike to press for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule — a constitutional provision that offers special protection to tribal areas, including control over land, employment, and cultural practices.
The CPI(M)’s intervention marks one of the strongest national-level political condemnations of the government’s handling of the Ladakh unrest. The party warned that the Centre’s crackdown would only deepen the alienation of people across Jammu & Kashmir, including Ladakh — a region that was carved out as a separate Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370.
“The BJP government must recognise that brute force cannot substitute for democratic engagement. Suppressing a peaceful and just movement will not extinguish it — it will only ignite deeper unrest,” the party warned.
The CPI(M) demanded immediate release of Wangchuk and unconditional withdrawal of all cases filed against protesters as well as restoration of democratic and constitutional rights of the Ladakh people.
It also said that the government should give a clear commitment to fulfill the people’s demands, including Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule
The party also expressed concern over the government’s broader pattern of branding activists as “anti-national” and using laws like the NSA and Public Safety Act (PSA) to stifle dissent.
Outpouring of Support
Wangchuk’s arrest has sparked an outpouring of support from across the political spectrum. Former J&K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have both spoken in his defence, calling his treatment a form of repression against a region that has largely remained peaceful even during turbulent times in Kashmir.
“A happy and prosperous place like Ladakh is burning today,” said Mufti. “If this continues, the Centre will have no one left to talk to.”
Civil society groups, student unions, and environmental activists across the country have also voiced solidarity with Wangchuk, with many planning protests in major cities.
