The Ladakh administration on Tuesday (September 30, 2025) accused climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of suggesting “self-immolation” to the people of Ladakh on “multiple occasions” on “lines of protests in Tibet.”

In a statement issued late on Tuesday (September 30, 2025), the Union Territory administration said the “grounds of detention etc.,” had been duly served on Mr. Wangchuk, presently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) at the Jodhpur Central jail in Rajasthan.

Mr. Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo said she was yet to speak to her husband who was detained on September 26 or get a copy of the detention order. She is also the co-founder of the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL) in Ladakh whose land registration was cancelled by the administration last month.

“Sonam Wangchuk had suggested ‘overthrow’ of government on lines of ‘Arab Spring’, if their demands were not met, besides putting forth the idea of self-immolation for instigating agitation for this purpose, as happened in Arab countries, including Tunisia. On multiple occasions, he suggested self-immolation by Ladakhis on lines of protests in Tibet,” the statement said.

Blaming him for the violence in Leh city on September 26, which left four dead and around 150 people injured, the Ladakh administration said that “even though other Leh Apex Body leaders (including elders) rushed to pacify the aggressive crowd, Mr. Wangchuk made no attempts to ensure peace.”

It said he remained at the hunger strike site and “if elderly leaders could realise the gravity of the situation and try to pacify the mob, there is no reason why Mr. Wangchuk could not have done the same, if he really desired peace.”

It added that “when the situation was out of control, Mr. Wangchuk called off his fast and discreetly moved out from the backside of the venue, thereby indicating his overall sense of irresponsibility.”

‘No witch-hunting’

“There have been reports in the media of baseless allegations of victimisation of certain individuals, including Sonam Wangchuk by government agencies. There is no question of witch-hunting or smoke screen. Actions taken by the law enforcement agencies are based on credible inputs and documents. The agencies should be allowed to continue with their investigation impartially without vitiating the process,” the statement said.

The case of financial irregularities and foreign currency violations by HIAL is under investigation by agencies. “Further, despite knowing that it is not a recognised university, HIAL is issuing degrees to young men and women jeopardising their future prospects. HIAL did not make full disclosure of foreign funds in their balance sheets in relevant financial years,” the Ladakh administration said.

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