Opposition parties across the country on Saturday (September 27, 2025) stepped up their criticism of the Union government’s handling of the ongoing crisis in Ladakh and the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under provisions of the National Security Act.
While Congress leaders called the government’s handling of the situation “pathetic” and demanded a judicial inquiry into the deaths of protesters on September 24, leaders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the Aam Aadmi Party called Mr. Wangchuk a “patriot”, and sought his release.
Protests in Ladakh demanding Statehood and tribal status under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution turned violent on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), with at least four protesters killed in the clashes with security forces. The Ministry of Home Affairs accused Mr. Wangchuk, who had become the face of the protests, of “insitgating” the protesters. Two days later, authorities detained him under the NSA.
Sonam Wangchuk Detained Under NSA as Leh Tensions Escalate Over Statehood Demand
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been detained under the NSA amid violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Four people were killed in the unrest, prompting a strict curfew and intensified security. Authorities claim Wangchuk’s speeches incited the violence. Over 50 people have been detained, and Wangchuk has been moved to Jodhpur prison for public safety.
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The Hindu
On Saturday (September 27), Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge posted a statement on social media saying his party “strongly condemns the pathetic handling of the situation in Ladakh by the government and the subsequent arrest of Sonam Wangchuk under the draconian National Security Act”. “At the heart of the crisis lies the BJP’s persistent betrayal of the aspirations of people of Ladakh,” he added.
‘Is he a terrorist?’
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, questioned why Mr. Wangchuk was transported to the high-security Central Jail in Jodhpur. “What has happened all of a sudden that the stringent NSA was slapped on Mr. Wangchuk and he was shifted from Ladakh to far-off Jodhpur? Is he a terrorist? In fact, he has been a big supporter of Modiji.”
Speaking to The Hindu, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Central Committee member Tanuj Khatri called Mr. Wangchuk’s detention a “blow to the soul of democracy”, and akin to assaulting the sentiments of Ladakh’s people. In New Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party’s Political Affairs Committee member Durgesh Pathak echoed this sentiment, adding that it reflected the “dictatorial character of the Modi government”.
“He was among the first to raise his voice against China’s aggression. Unfortunately, the Central government has sought to suppress that voice. Questioning border security and Ladakh’s rights is not a crime but an act in the national interest,” Mr. Khatri said.
An unkept promise
Mr. Kharge, in the statement on X, said, “For over a year now, there has been turmoil, and instead of lending a patient hearing to the cries of the people for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Modi government is responding with violence. The BJP had pledged Sixth Schedule status for the region, sadly that promise has been squarely abandoned.”
Congress general secretary in-charge of communication Jairam Ramesh on Saturday also referred to the 2020 poll promise of the BJP, saying that the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes had recommended Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh in 2019, after the Union Ministries of Home Affairs, Tribal Affairs, and Law and Justice had given a “no objection to this”, while citing a report of The Hindu.
Mr. Ramesh said, “Sonam Wangchuk was only repeating this demand. But he now finds himself in jail without bail. And we are supposed to think of ourselves as the mother of democracy.”
Both Mr. Pathak and Mr. Khatri said that the demands of Ladakh’s people – that of Statehood and tribal status by way of inclusion in the Sixth Schedule – were “rightful” and “entirely democratic and justified”. Both the leaders said that the NSA charges should be dropped and Mr. Wangchuk released.
Mr. Kharge said in his statement: “The Indian National Congress seeks nothing but peace in Ladakh. For decades, we have ensured that this beautiful border region remains harmonious and secure, upholding both the spirit of democracy and the cause of national security… The democratic institutions and democracy need to be revived and restored in Ladakh.”
Meanwhile, outside the Central Jail in Jodhpur, where Mr. Wangchuk is currently detained, Vijay Pal, an activist from Churu district, staged a protest with the Tricolour and raised slogans supporting Mr. Wangchuk, before he was taken by the police to the nearby station for questioning.
Published – September 27, 2025 09:38 pm IST
