The basis of good governance and democracy is that it provides enough leeway and wherewithal to address issues related to national security. The smart way to address a problem that started as a legitimate demand for greater autonomy in governance is not by misusing laws that allow for preventive detention against peaceful dissenters but by finding a route to defuse it. That does not mean that those who indulged in violence and arson in Ladakh during the protests for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status should be spared the long arm of the law. Yet, the Centre’s detention of climate activist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), in response to the protests, is wrong. Mr. Wangchuk has been a consistent and peaceful advocate for the legitimate democratic asp

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