Ladakh Activist Sonam Wangchuk Placed Under 60-Day House Arrest

Indian environmental activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has been placed under house arrest for 60 days by the administration in Ladakh. The order was issued on Sunday (November 15) by the Additional District Magistrate of Leh. Under the restrictions, Wangchuk will not be allowed to participate in rallies, marches or public gatherings during this period.

According to a report by NDTV, council elections in Ladakh are scheduled to take place on December 4. However, Wangchuk and leaders of several local organisations have been raising objections to the election schedule, particularly over concerns about potentially harsh weather conditions during the voting period.

On Saturday (November 14), Wangchuk participated in a protest organised over the issue. He was removed from the protest site, and the house arrest order was issued the following day.

The administrative order reportedly refers to a report from Leh Police and a letter from the police chief requesting restrictions on Wangchuk's movements.

Wangchuk Confirms House Arrest

Wangchuk himself confirmed the house arrest, saying that dozens of police personnel had been deployed around his residence.

He said the restrictions came into effect on Sunday and would remain in place for the next 60 days.

Concerns Over December 4 Election Schedule

Weather conditions are among the main reasons Wangchuk and other rights activists have objected to the December 4 election schedule.

They fear that Ladakh will experience severe winter conditions during that period. Additionally, many residents may have relocated to other areas because of the cold, potentially affecting voter turnout and participation in the election.

Who Is Sonam Wangchuk?

Sonam Wangchuk is a renowned Indian innovator, educationist and environmental activist.

He is widely known for inspiring the character of Rancho in the popular Bollywood film 3 Idiots, particularly through his innovative work and educational philosophy.

For years, he has been actively campaigning for environmental protection in Ladakh and advocating greater rights and autonomy for the region.

His house arrest comes amid continuing disagreements over Ladakh's political representation, regional rights and the timing of the upcoming council elections.