Sonam Wangchuk's Prolonged Detention and Hunger Strike Spark Ladakh Concerns
Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk's 100-day hunger strike in jail highlights concerns over Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
Photo by boris misevic
Key Facts
Sonam Wangchuk on hunger strike for over 100 days
Detained under National Security Act (NSA)
Detained on September 24, 2025, booked under NSA on January 7, 2026
Protesting for Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh
Supreme Court to hear plea on January 7, 2026
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II (Polity & Governance): Sixth Schedule, Fundamental Rights, National Security Act
GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology): Himalayan Ecosystem, Sustainable Development
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical, critical
Visual Insights
Sonam Wangchuk's Protest: Ladakh's Demand & Detention Location
This map illustrates the geographical context of Sonam Wangchuk's protest. It highlights Ladakh, the region for which he advocates Sixth Schedule status, and Jodhpur, where he is currently detained under the NSA. The map also shows the states currently under the Sixth Schedule for comparative understanding.
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Sonam Wangchuk's Activism, Detention & Hunger Strike (2019-2026)
This timeline outlines the key events in Sonam Wangchuk's activism for Ladakh, leading to his detention and prolonged hunger strike. It contextualizes his actions within the post-Article 370 abrogation period.
Sonam Wangchuk's activism gained significant momentum after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped Ladakh of its special status and made it a Union Territory without a legislature. This move, upheld by the Supreme Court in 2023, fueled concerns among local communities about environmental exploitation and loss of cultural identity, leading to intensified demands for Sixth Schedule status.
- 2019 AugAbrogation of Article 370 & Reorganization of J&K into UTs (J&K and Ladakh). Ladakh loses special status.
- 2020-2023Sonam Wangchuk intensifies advocacy for Ladakh's Sixth Schedule status, citing environmental and cultural protection needs.
- 2023 DecSupreme Court upholds abrogation of Article 370, reinforcing the need for new safeguards for Ladakh.
- 2025 Sep 24Sonam Wangchuk detained under Section 107 CrPC after calling for a 'Climate Fast' for Sixth Schedule status.
- 2025 Sep 24 - Jan 2026Wangchuk begins hunger strike in detention, protesting his prolonged incarceration and demanding Sixth Schedule for Ladakh.
- 2026 Jan 7Sonam Wangchuk booked under the National Security Act (NSA). Supreme Court scheduled to hear his plea challenging NSA detention.
- 2026 JanWangchuk's hunger strike crosses 100 days, raising national and international concerns about his health and human rights.
More Information
Background
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution finds its roots in the colonial administration's efforts to govern tribal areas with distinct customs and traditions. The Government of India Act, 1935, laid the groundwork for excluding certain areas from the general administration. Post-independence, the Constituent Assembly recognized the need for special provisions to protect the rights and autonomy of tribal communities.
The Sixth Schedule was thus incorporated into the Constitution in 1949, initially covering Assam. Over time, it was extended to Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. The rationale behind the Sixth Schedule was to empower tribal communities to manage their own affairs, preserve their cultural identity, and protect their land and resources from external exploitation.
The schedule provides for the establishment of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for the extension of the Sixth Schedule to other tribal areas, including Ladakh. Several committees and commissions have examined the issue, highlighting the need for constitutional safeguards to protect the unique cultural and environmental heritage of these regions. The central government has been considering various options, including amendments to existing laws and the creation of new administrative structures.
However, progress has been slow, and concerns remain about the potential impact of development projects on tribal communities and their traditional way of life. The debate over the Sixth Schedule reflects a broader tension between the need for economic development and the imperative to protect the rights and interests of marginalized communities. The use of the National Security Act (NSA) against activists advocating for these rights has also raised concerns about the shrinking space for dissent and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution: 1. It provides for Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative, executive, and judicial powers. 2. All states in Northeast India are covered under the Sixth Schedule. 3. The Governor of the state has discretionary powers over the functioning of ADCs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 2 is incorrect as not all states in Northeast India are covered under the Sixth Schedule. Statement 1 and 3 are correct.
2. In the context of the National Security Act (NSA), which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.It allows preventive detention for a maximum period of 12 months in certain cases.
- B.The detaining authority must inform the detainee of the grounds for detention.
- C.The NSA is applicable only in cases involving threats to national security.
- D.The detainee has the right to legal representation from the moment of detention.
Show Answer
Answer: D
The detainee does not have the right to legal representation from the moment of detention. This is a common misconception. Other statements are correct.
3. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? List I (Constitutional Provision) 1. Article 19(1)(a) 2. Article 21 3. Article 25 List II (Subject Matter) A. Protection of Life and Personal Liberty B. Freedom of Speech and Expression C. Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All the pairs are correctly matched. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression, Article 21 protects life and personal liberty, and Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
4. Assertion (A): The demand for inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule has gained momentum in recent years. Reason (R): The abrogation of Article 370 has removed constitutional safeguards, making Ladakh vulnerable to exploitation of its resources and culture. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true, but R is false.
- D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why the demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule has increased after the abrogation of Article 370.