Sonam Wangchuk Arrested: Is India Still a Free Country.? Is It Democracy a Dictatorship.?
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- The Daily Hints
- 01 Oct, 2025
§ Sonam Wangchuk Case
§ Climate Hero or National Threat.?
§ Sonam Wangchuk NSA Arrest Explained
§ From Three Idiots Inspiration to NSA Detention
The shocking arrest of Sonam Wangchuk on September 26, 2025 has sent shockwaves across India and the world. The climate activist, innovator and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner was detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests in Ladakh that left four dead and dozens injured. This arrest has sparked a nationwide debate about democracy, freedom of speech and the government’s handling of peaceful protests in the world's largest democracy.
What Really Happened.?
At approximately 12:30 PM on September 26, 2025 dozens of police officers raided Sonam Wangchuk’s home without a court order, conducting searches and seizing his phones and electronic devices. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo was not present at the time - she was working at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). Later, she received a phone call from an inspector informing her that her husband had been arrested under the National Security Act and was being flown to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
The NSA is a controversial law that allows the government to detain individuals for up to a year without trial if they are deemed a threat to national security. Originally designed to combat terrorism, this law is now being used against a celebrated scientist and peace activist who has consistently advocated for non-violent, Gandhian principles.
The Ladakh Protests: Five Years of Peaceful Resistance
For the past five years, the people of Ladakh have been demanding statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. These demands stem from their loss of autonomy after the 2019 reorganization when Ladakh became a Union Territory without legislature. The Sixth Schedule would provide constitutional protection for the predominantly tribal population (97% of Ladakh’s residents belong to Scheduled Tribes) and safeguard their land, culture and environment.
· Sonam Wangchuk became the face of these protests in January 2023, leading multiple peaceful demonstrations,
o 5-day climate fast (ignored by government)
o Jantar Mantar protest in February 2023 (ignored)
o 21-day hunger strike in March 2024 (ignored)
o 1000 km walk from Leh to Delhi in September 2024 (ignored)
o 16-day indefinite hunger strike in October 2024 (government promised talks but no action)
The most recent protest began on September 10, 2025 with Wangchuk and 14 others undertaking another hunger strike, vowing to fast for 35 days or until death.
The Tragic Turn: Violence Erupts
The peaceful protests took a violent turn on September 24, 2025 when two hunger strikers fell critically ill and were hospitalized. This triggered massive street protests by frustrated youth. With unemployment at 26.5% among graduates (nearly double the national average of 13.4%) anger had been building for years.
The protests escalated when police opened fire on demonstrators, killing four people and injuring over 80 others. Among the dead was Sevang Tharchin, a Kargil War veteran who had fought on the front lines against Pakistan but was killed by his own country’s security forces.
Voices of Resistance
· “I believe me being in jail will wake the country up more than if I were outside. The country will see the kind of person who brings prestigious awards like the Magsaysay Award... and today we’re putting that same person in jail on false charges.” - Sonam Wangchuk (from an anonymous letter he received predicting his arrest)
· “There is no question of witch-hunting or smoke screen. Actions taken by law enforcement agencies are based on credible inputs and documents.” - Ladakh Administration responding to criticism
· “We openly challenge that whoever wants to debate with us on this issue, we are ready to counter it with facts, evidence and documents to prove that these allegations are wrong. - Gitanjali Angmo, Wangchuk’s wife.
The Real Sonam Wangchuk
Sonam Wangchuk is far from the “Anti-National” figure some are trying to portray him as. Here are the facts,
· Awards & Recognition
o Ramon Magsaysay Award 2018 (Asia’s Nobel Prize)
o 8 honorary doctorates from universities worldwide
o Inspiration for Aamir Khan’s character in “3 Idiots”
o 30+ international awards for education and innovation
· Revolutionary Innovations
o Ice Stupa Technology: Artificial glaciers that store winter water for summer farming, solving Ladakh’s water crisis
o Solar-heated Military Tents: Eco-friendly tents for Indian soldiers that maintain 15°C inside when it's -14°C outside, eliminating need for kerosene
o Educational Revolution: Reduced Ladakh’s school failure rate from 95% (1996) to 25% (2024) through his SECMOL institute
· Patriotic Contributions
o Led “Boycott China” campaign in 2020 with the slogan “Army will respond with bullets, we will respond with wallets”
o Praised Prime Minister Modi for climate initiatives during his Pakistan visit for a climate conference
o Thanked Modi when Article 370 was abrogated in 2019
Global Outcry and Social Media Storm
The arrest has triggered massive international attention and social media campaigns,
· Trending Hashtags
o #eleaseSonamWangchuk - Trending globally
o #ISportSonamWangchuk - Viral on Instagram and X
o #SaveLadakh - Gaining momentum
o #JticeForLadakh - Growing movement
o #DemocracyInnger - International concern
· International Media Coverage
o Major outlets including BBC, New York Times, Al Jazeera and France24 have covered the story, raising questions about India’s democratic credentials and treatment of peaceful activists.
· Support Campaigns
o Environmental groups, human rights organizations and activists worldwide have condemned the arrest. The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has called for immediate release and judicial inquiry into the killings.
The Fight for Democratic Values
The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk represents more than just the detention of one individual - it symbolizes the struggle between democratic ideals and authoritarian tendencies. A man who has spent decades serving his country, innovating solutions for national challenges, and advocating for environmental protection now sits in jail under a draconian law meant for terrorists.
This case has become a litmus test for Indian democracy. The world is watching to see whether a nation that prides itself on being the “world’s largest democracy” will stand by its values or succumb to the temptation of silencing dissent through arbitrary detention.
The question remains: Is India still a free country.? The answer may well determine the future of democratic discourse in the world’s most populous nation.
Call to Action (CTA)
The time for silence is over. Democracy dies in darkness and its up to every citizen to ensure that the light of freedom continues to shine.
· What You Can Do
o Share this story using #ISupportSonamWangchuk
o Contact your representatives demanding his release
o Support organizations fighting for democratic rights
o Spread awareness about the Ladakh situation
Follow and share The Daily Hints for more breaking news, in-depth analysis and stories that matter. Together, we can ensure that truth prevails and democracy survives.
· Remember: Today it.s Sonam Wangchuk. Tomorrow, it could be any one of us who dares to speak truth to power. The fight for freedom is everyone's responsibility.
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