Politics · India · 23 hrs ago
Wangchuk asks President Murmu to intervene over alleged campaign in Ladakh
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene in Ladakh, accusing its Lieutenant Governor-led administration of targeting him and other critics.
Wangchuk said a smear campaign against him was linked to two social media pages that appeared in October; he shared selected excerpts of a purported investigation by his lawyers.
The administration had not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
Wangchuk also said residents faced limits on democratic rights and free expression, including cases and arrests over social media activity.
The dispute comes amid administrative action against the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, which Wangchuk founded, and its Desert Flower School in Leh.
Authorities cancelled the institute’s land allotment in August 2025, while a notice said school activities must stop until a land case is decided by the high court.
The land dispute remains before the high court, and Wangchuk has asked the President to ensure rights and justice for people in border regions.
Sonam Wangchuk appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene in Ladakh, alleging a smear campaign by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration.
He said two social media pages that appeared on October 14 were part of efforts to defame him and promote the Lieutenant Governor’s work.
Wangchuk also alleged restrictions on democratic rights and said government policies favoured corporate interests over local communities.
The Ladakh administration has not responded to the allegations, according to the Times of India; Hindustan Times reported no immediate reaction from the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
The appeal comes amid administrative actions involving institutions associated with Wangchuk, including a direction to his institute not to begin activities at a school while a land dispute is pending.
- Who
- Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk appealed to President Droupadi Murmu.
- What
- He asked her to intervene over what he alleged was a smear campaign and other restrictions in Ladakh.
- When
- Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Ladakh, a Union Territory in India.
- Why
- Wangchuk alleged that the administration was targeting critics and restricting democratic rights and freedom of expression.
Sonam Wangchuk
Ladakh administration
Social media campaign
Sonam Wangchuk
Wangchuk alleged that two pages were created to defame him and promote the Lieutenant Governor’s work.
Ladakh administration
The administration has not responded to this allegation in the reports.
HIAL land and school
Sonam Wangchuk
Wangchuk and his wife attributed delays in finalising the land deal to bureaucratic hurdles and alleged a politically motivated witch-hunt.
Ladakh administration
The administration cited failure to execute the lease deed and pay the required premium, as well as alleged non-compliance with the land’s intended use; authorities directed HIAL to maintain the status quo while a court dispute is pending.
Ladakh authorities cancelled HIAL’s land allotment, and the institute moved the matter to the High Court.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena made remarks about Wangchuk at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai.
The Ladakh Lens and Ladakh Vision social media pages surfaced, according to Wangchuk.
Authorities directed HIAL not to begin activities at Desert Flower School while a land dispute was pending in the High Court.
Wangchuk appealed to President Murmu for intervention and made allegations about the administration.
- Appeal
- Sonam Wangchuk asked President Droupadi Murmu to intervene
- Pages named
- Ladakh Lens and Ladakh Vision
- Pages appeared
- October 14
- HIAL land allotment cancelled
- August 2025
- School notice
- Issued November 3; activities restricted pending a High Court decision
2 sources
What people are saying
I am being continuously witch-hunted and defamed and our schools are being harassed in every possible way by the LG administration in Ladakh
For the last six years or so, Ladakh has become a police state. We don’t have rights like in the rest of the country, nor democracy.