Ladakh Administration Defends Action Against Sonam Wangchuk: Claims Based on Credible Evidence, Not Victimization

The Ladakh administration firmly rejected claims of targeted persecution against individuals, particularly Sonam Wangchuk, stating on Tuesday that all actions taken against him were founded on substantial evidence and documentation.

In an official release, authorities dismissed victimization allegations as "unfounded," emphasizing that law enforcement agencies acted solely based on reliable intelligence and documented evidence.

"There is no question of witch-hunting or smoke screen," the administration declared, calling for investigations to continue without interference.

The statement highlighted ongoing inquiries into financial discrepancies and foreign currency regulation violations by the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL).

According to authorities, HIAL has been conferring degrees despite lacking proper university recognition, potentially compromising students' futures. The institute allegedly also failed to properly report foreign funding in its financial records.

The administration addressed SECMOL's FCRA registration cancellation, citing numerous violations while noting that legal channels remain available for the organization to contest this decision.

Concerning Wangchuk's recent hunger strike and public commentary, officials accused him of making inflammatory statements with references to Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, allegedly encouraging youth to abandon peaceful protest methods. They referenced a June 2025 YouTube video where Wangchuk reportedly discussed an "Arab Spring"-type revolution and suggested self-immolation as a protest form.

Officials criticized Wangchuk's behavior during his hunger strike, claiming he failed to calm protestors and discreetly exited when tensions rose.

The statement noted that despite the government announcing a meeting date with Ladakhi representatives and expressing willingness for dialogue, Wangchuk persisted with his hunger strike, which authorities characterized as "irresponsible" and politically motivated.

The administration confirmed that detention justifications had been properly delivered to Wangchuk and urged calm, stressing the importance of allowing legal processes to unfold naturally.

"We are confident that together we will bring back normalcy in the peace-loving Leh Township and continue with our dialogue process," the statement concluded.

Officials noted that during a September 11, 2025 interview at NDS Park, Wangchuk reportedly stated that young people claim to reject peaceful methods and Gandhian principles. He allegedly suggested people weren't intimidated by deployed security forces, warning of potential escalation.

The administration added that before beginning his hunger strike, Wangchuk advised participants (September 9, 2025) to wear masks, caps, and hoodies during protests, citing COVID concerns despite no evidence of viral spread in Ladakh.