Ladakh statehood activist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested on charges of allegedly inciting a mob with provocative statements.
His arrest follows violence two days ago in the region that resulted in four deaths and over 50 injuries, including security personnel.
Context of the Arrest
- Incitement Allegations: Mr. Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Award winner, has been vocal in his demand for statehood for Ladakh. The allegations against him center on his role in inciting a mob amid the recent tension.
- FCRA Cancellation: The arrest also comes just one day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration of his non-profit organization, the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). This prevents SECMOL from receiving foreign funds.
- Wangchuk’s Denial: Mr. Wangchuk has denied the allegations. Regarding the FCRA cancellation, he told NDTV that his non-profit never took foreign contributions, but rather engaged in business transactions with organizations like the UN, Swiss, and Italian bodies, and paid all necessary taxes. He suggested the cancellation was based on a “mistake on their [Centre’s] part.”
- Growing Tensions: The current crisis reflects a shift in Ladakh, which initially celebrated becoming a Union Territory in 2019 but is now demanding full statehood. This tension has led to speculation from some quarters about the involvement of foreign hands and local vested interests in engineering the crisis.
