Ladakh Administration Revokes Land Allotment for Sonam Wangchuk's Institute

The Ladakh administration has canceled the land allotment for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's institute, a move he describes as a suppression of local demands for statehood and autonomy. Wangchuk, a prominent advocate for these issues, has been at the forefront of protests calling for constitutional protections for Ladakh. The decision has sparked significant concern among local leaders and organizations advocating for the rights of the region's residents. This article delves into the implications of this cancellation and Wangchuk's ongoing efforts to secure statehood for Ladakh.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 24, 2025, 12:59 IST

Cancellation of Land Allotment

The Ladakh administration has officially revoked the land allocation for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's institute located in Phyang village, Leh. This decision was reported on Saturday and follows the initial allotment made in 2018.

Wangchuk has characterized this action as a “witch-hunt” aimed at stifling the voices of local residents, according to reports from various media outlets.

He has been a prominent figure in advocating for statehood for Ladakh, seeking its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and pushing for job reservations for local inhabitants.

The Sixth Schedule, outlined in Article 244 of the Constitution, provides specific protections for land and grants a degree of autonomy to citizens in designated tribal regions. Notably, over 97% of Ladakh's population belongs to Scheduled Tribes.

On Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner of Leh, Romil Singh Donk, announced that approximately 1,076 kanal and 1 marla (around 135 acres) of land allocated to the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning would revert to state ownership.

Wangchuk is one of the founding directors of this institute.

The official order indicated that the 40-year lease granted in 2018 had expired in May 2019 due to the institute's failure to execute the necessary deed, establish the proposed university, or complete the formal transfer of the land.

Additionally, the administration instructed the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council and the tehsildar to clear all claims on the land and update the revenue records.

In response to the cancellation, Wangchuk expressed that this decision represents an “attack” not only on Ladakh but also on the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, as reported by various news sources.

These organizations were established in 2020 to advocate for the political and religious interests of the Leh and Kargil regions, both of which have been calling for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.

Wangchuk emphasized that the land was allocated in 2018 with the unanimous agreement of local leaders, clarifying that it is a charitable organization rather than a personal university.

He noted that around 400 students have successfully graduated from the institute.

Recently, Wangchuk participated in a three-day hunger strike in Kargil to advocate for constitutional protections for the region.

On October 6, he initiated an indefinite fast to highlight his demands for the safeguarding of Ladakh but concluded it on October 21 after receiving assurances from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the resumption of discussions with representatives from the Union Territory.

Wangchuk had also previously conducted a 21-day hunger strike ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in March 2024, calling for statehood for Ladakh and the preservation of the Himalayan environment.