New Delhi: The Ladakh administration on Tuesday rejected allegations that environmentalist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk is being victimised, insisting that recent actions taken against him are grounded in “credible inputs and documents.”
In an official statement, the administration said there was “no question of witch-hunting,” and urged that investigations be allowed to continue impartially.
Authorities said probes were underway into financial irregularities and foreign exchange violations linked to the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). The institute, despite not being a recognised university, had allegedly been issuing degrees, raising concerns over students’ futures. The statement also accused HIAL of failing to properly disclose foreign funds in its accounts.
The administration further pointed to the cancellation of SECMOL’s FCRA licence, citing “multiple violations,” while noting that the organisation retained the right to appeal the decision.
The statement also criticised Mr. Wangchuk’s recent hunger strike, calling it “irresponsible and politically motivated.” It alleged that he made provocative remarks referencing Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and cited a June 2025 YouTube video in which he spoke about an “Arab Spring-style revolution” and suggested self-immolation as a form of protest.
According to officials, Mr. Wangchuk failed to calm crowds during the strike and left the protest site discreetly when tensions rose. They also claimed he urged participants to wear masks and hoodies under the pretext of COVID safety, despite no signs of an outbreak in Ladakh.
The administration said that while the central government had already announced a meeting with Ladakh leaders and expressed willingness for dialogue, Mr. Wangchuk chose to continue his protest.
It also cited a September 11, 2025, interview in which he allegedly remarked that youth no longer believed in Mahatma Gandhi’s path of peace and were unafraid of security forces.
Officials concluded that the grounds for Mr. Wangchuk’s detention had been duly served, urging the public to remain calm. “We are confident that together we will bring back normalcy in the peace-loving Leh township and continue with our dialogue process,” the statement said.
