Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the innovator who inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the Bollywood film 3 Idiots, was arrested on Friday under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), according to media reports.
Authorities accused Wangchuk of inciting demonstrators whose protests for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, a region administered by India which is close to Tibet, turned violent this week, leaving four people dead and over 70 injured.
Police took Wangchuk into custody days after the peaceful shutdown, which he spearheaded, escalated into chaos in Leh.
The arrest follows a strong statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which directly blamed Wangchuk for the unrest that included the torching of the local BJP office and several government vehicles.
The government alleged his “provocative statements” and the actions of “politically motivated” groups incited the protestors. Specifically, the Indian Home Ministry accused Wangchuk of stirring mob fury by referencing the Arab Spring and Nepal Gen Z protests in his speeches.
The ministry detailed the flare-up’s chronology saying, “On 24th September, at around 11.30 am, a mob instigated by his provocative speeches left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked a political party office as well as Government office of the CEC Leh.”
Wangchuk, known for his education and environmental activism in Ladakh, began an indefinite hunger strike on September 10. He demanded statehood for the Union Territory, inclusion into the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect its tribal identity, and greater autonomy.
Following the clashes on Wednesday, Wangchuk called off his two-week hunger strike. Authorities immediately imposed a curfew as the situation deteriorated.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether Wangchuk will be moved to a jail or another location.