Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has slammed the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, calling it a blatant attack on democracy. The detention came after violent protests in Ladakh’s Leh region, and Bains is demanding Wangchuk’s immediate release.
“Truth can never be imprisoned,” Bains wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He described Wangchuk as “the voice of Ladakh, not a criminal.” Bains highlighted how the activist has poured tireless effort into improving education in the region. He argued that silencing dissent doesn’t build a stronger democracy—it tears it down.
“I demand the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk, who has become a victim of vindictive politics,” Bains added. “Suppressing dissenting voices does not strengthen democracy, but rather weakens it.”
Meanwhile, Tashi Gyalson, the Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and a BJP leader, mourned the tragic deaths of four young people during the recent Ladakh protests. He called it “the darkest day in our history.”
“These were innocent people who came for a peaceful protest,” Gyalson told . “We don’t know what kind of mobilization happened, but the violence started suddenly. Four people died there, and many were left injured.”
Gyalson raised concerns about excessive force used by police on the protesters. He called for accountability from both sides—law enforcement and the demonstrators—to prevent such chaos in the future.
Security measures remain tight in Leh following the Ladakh violence. Under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), gatherings of five or more people are banned. No processions, rallies, or marches can happen without prior written permission. Extra security personnel are on the ground to keep things calm.
The trouble erupted on September 24, when protests demanding statehood for Ladakh turned ugly. Demonstrators set fire to a local BJP office, leading to clashes that claimed four lives. Two days later, authorities detained Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), accusing him of inciting the violence. His family has confirmed the arrest.
Wangchuk, a well-known climate activist, has long pushed for Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This provision aims to protect tribal areas by creating autonomous district councils with legislative and judicial powers. Right now, it covers northeastern states like Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya.
The Sonam Wangchuk arrest and ongoing Ladakh protests highlight growing tensions over the region’s future and calls for greater autonomy.
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