Referred to Central government as "them", tried to instigate GenZ: Centre to Supreme Court on Sonam Wangchuk's detention

Central government and Ladakh administration on Monday told the Supreme Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk wanted the Union Territory to face an agitation and violence similar to what transpired in Nepal and Bangladesh.

Wangchuk referred to the Central government as "them" thus betraying secessionist tendencies and he also instigated the GenZ (Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012) ) to indulge in bloodbath and civil war, the government further alleged.

"He (Sonam Wangchuk) refers to the Central government as “them”. This “us” and “them” is enough for NSA detention. There is no us and them. We are all Indians," it was submitted.

The submission was made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta before a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale while opposing a plea challenging his detention under National Security Act (NSA).

"He wants Ladakh to become Nepal or Bangladesh? This is what clearly he wants to say. We all know what happened in Bangladesh. He is targeting the impressionable youth. The moment you say ours and theirs in this country, you are doing something against the country. There is no “they”. It is “our” government," Mehta said.

The Court was hearing the plea moved by Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo against his preventive detention.

Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) following protests in Leh in September 2025 over demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory of Ladakh.

During the last hearing, Angmo's counsel contended that Wangchuk has a democratic right to criticise and protest against the government and that such sentiments do not threaten the security of the State to warrant his detention.

In response, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta today submitted that Wancghuk had made inflammatory speeches and mentioned Mahatma Gandhi's name only as a facade.

"There are instances where inflammatory speeches are made but they are covered. Beginning and end is always Gandhiji. But in the middle whatever you say, you use Gandhiji as a cover. This is done usually when inflammatory speeches are made," Mehta said.

Mehta added that the District Magistrate examined various factors before passing the detention order.

"The Court cannot question the sufficiency of the grounds of detention for subjective satisfaction. It is the district magistrate who is the judge of the situation," the SG argued.

Highlighting the speeches made by Wangchuk, Mehta said district magistrate had to see them in a holistic manner.

"One line, one word, one sentence cannot be couched in a manner that I was preaching what Gandhiji said. This GenZ have their own dictionary," he submitted.

Referring to a particular speech, Mehta alleged that Wangchuk had hoped for a riot-like situation similar to Nepal.

"He is misleading the young generation to do what Nepal did. The illustration of Mahatma Gandhi is only a facade to hide an inflammatory speech," he added.

Mehta also highlighted Wangchuk's alleged mention of Arab Spring in his speeches.

"There was a bloodbath in this Arab revolution. There was self immolation. This is what he wants the GenZ to do. It is an invitation to indulge in civil war with bloodbath! He says why can’t we self immolate? This is how he’s instigating impressionable youth," he said.

Mehta further said that Wangchuk wanted to bring international focus to the Ladakh agitation by threatening self-immolation.

"'Please suggest a suitable place for self immolation, should it be Leh or Delhi' - he’s putting it to the crowd! He wants to give things an international colour. Gandhiji never did this. He never threatened and instigated self immolation! This is secessionist activity," he argued.

Stating that Ladakh is essential for maintenance of supply chain to the armed forces posted on the borders, Mehta claimed that Wangchuk had made statements for holding referendum in the region.

"He says every region has a right to decide where it belongs? That is why you hear for referendums and plebiscites. He’s giving the call that was given in Jammu Kashmir. He says every region should be happy and go wherever they want to? Being a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and sharing a border with China, when you say it is my right to decide where to join, whom I’ll associate with, I’ll merge, plebiscite or referendum is the remedy. If this is not the case for NSA detention then nothing is!," the SG said.

Mehta further argued that it would have been dereliction of duty if the district magistrate had not taken cognizance of such serious things.

"A person instigating that there is an imminent war and we will not support in that, this much is enough. He cannot be allowed to spit venom any further. He says Sita ji ko bazaar mein bechne ke liye khada kiya. I won’t read any further. This is not giving an example. Mr. Sibal said this is a figure of speech. We don’t use this kind of speech for our mother!," he submitted.

The arguments in the case will continue on Tuesday afternoon.

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