Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo, submitted Tuesday a detailed representations to Ladakh administrative, the NSA (National Security Act) advisory board, and Union home ministry, stating the charges against her husband “Filmsy, Childish and Baseless”
The representation acknowledge to the NSA order issued on september 27 and the grounds of arrest dated September 28, following the September 24 police firing in Leh which causes four people to dead and over 70 to be wounded during the violent protests demanding statehood and sixth schedule status for Ladakh
Angmo statement,
“ We have stated that the accusation against sonam wangchuk, based on videos, are very flimsy. His video speeches have been taken out of context”
She pointed out that the NSA charge sheet references several videos, which does not support the claim against her husband. Angmo, who co-founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, said that one of the videos is ‘grossly misinterpreted.”
She said,
“ In one clip, he refers to revolutions in Bangladesh and Nepal and Gen Z but clearly says ours should be peaceful. Authorities twisted this to claim he was calling for similar protests in Ladakh”
On September 9, Wangchuk launched a 35-day hunger strike, demanding both statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, and directly accused the Centre of deliberately obstructing dialogue concerning Ladakh’s democratic rights. Though the home ministry scheduled a new negotiation session for October 6, the fast concluded abruptly when violence broke out on September 24. Following the unrest, authorities detained over 70 individuals, including Wangchuk, who was then moved to Jodhpur jail. His wife, Angmo, contended that the action against him “is not about law and order but about silencing a voice that speaks for Ladakh’s people. ” She further stressed that the National Security Act (NSA) “is meant for terrorists and smugglers,” suggesting its misuse in this context.
She also added,
“We have clearly stated that Sonam poses no threat, has never been a threat, and his arrest is an attempt to silence his voice and the peaceful movement for Ladakh’s statehood.”
She raised concerns about the timing and relevance of the charges, questioning,
“The FIRs mentioned are old, and the videos are one year old. How can such videos incite a protest now?”
Angmo indicated that 11 videos were listed, including some unrelated ones.
She noted,
“For instance, during last year’s long march, Sonam was held briefly in New Delhi. When some youths in Ladakh observed a spontaneous bandh, it was attributed to him and his supporters. People love him their actions were voluntary,”
According to Angmo, officials also misinterpreted Wangchuk’s comments regarding the Ladakh Scouts.
She stated,
“They allege he demotivated the force in case of war with Pakistan or China. What he actually said was that border residents should be kept content so they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army,”
Angmo commented that another video was misquoted to suggest Wangchuk advocated for confrontation with China.
She explained,
“In reality, he was quoting a comedian and rejecting that view. He clarified that while one may differ with any political party, we will always stand with India and its Army,”
The representation was drafted by senior lawyer and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha and others.
He later expressed on X,
“How can Govt even conceive detaining @Wangchuk66 (a Gandhian) under NSA after the kind of exemplary work he has done in Ladakh…. My appeal to the Govt to order his release…”
Even though talks about Ladakh’s demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule resumed in New Delhi on October 22, it appears the government is hesitant to release activist Sonam Wangchuk or give the area significant self-governance.
The situation persists despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s plea for patience, during which he assured the people of Ladakh in a televised event that the ongoing negotiations would be successful. Earlier, a Ladakhi delegation had refused to attend the scheduled October 6 talks, conditioning their participation on the restoration of peace and the release of arrested protestors, including Wangchuk. And six detainees have been freed, and the administrative head of Ladakh is reopening the schools, which shows the stability. Dr. Muntasif, a former Delhi University assistant professor, stressed that the necessity of continuing daily life shouldn’t be mistaken for a reduction in public “resentment or unhappiness.”
He asked,
“Ladakh has never felt this isolated and disenfranchised. Where are our elected leaders? Why are these bureaucrats taking all the decisions in Ladakh? Does the LAHDC still exist?”
The prospects for a positive result appear unfavorable, particularly since the home minister has effectively rejected the demand for Wangchuk’s release, instead referring the matter of his alleged threat to national security to the judiciary. However, it is expected that the Ladakh delegation will demand a prompt legal investigation, monetary reparations and medical aid for those injured or killed on September 24, and the release of Wangchuk and all other detainees. Based on the prolonged custody faced by figures like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam for their controversial speeches before the 2020 Delhi riots, Wangchuk could face an extended period of imprisonment.
His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, shared on X,
“Sonam Wangchuk today embodies the sentiment of every Ladakhi, from Matayan to Chushul. I have full faith that the leadership of LAB & KDA will raise this issue firmly in the 22 October meeting and honor the sacrifices made by Sonam Wangchuk and the people of Ladakh for our future.”
Concerns over the planned negotiations were heightened by the sudden withdrawal of Ladakh Congress leader Nawang Rigzin Zora from both the apex body sub-committee and the high-powered committee. This implies that the government is reluctant to allow any party members to engage in negotiations with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Many residents are calling for the inclusion of their own representatives rather than solely depending on outside parties, as local sentiment dictates that the investigation should be more comprehensive and include an analysis of the circumstances surrounding the police firing as well as the identification of the person who issued the order.
Locals are also demanding that the ongoing inquiry be conducted swiftly and not be allowed to drag on indefinitely. This push comes as the legal battle progresses: the Supreme Court had already issued notices to the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh on October 6.
Additionally, Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court challenging the Ladakh administration’s use of the National Security Act (NSA) for his detention. Wangchuk, a prominent advocate for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, was apprehended by Ladakh Police under the rigorous NSA just two days after the region witnessed its most severe violence in decades.
This unrest stemmed from statehood protests that turned into clashes with police. Angmo has consistently condemned the detention, asserting that her husband “is being portrayed as anti-national in a witch-hunt.” The action followed the Union Home Ministry’s revocation of his NGO’s license under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, citing alleged violations. The MHA claimed a direct link between Wangchuk’s “provocative” speeches—where he mentioned Arab Spring-style protests and Nepal’s Gen Z movement—and the subsequent mob violence and arson. Wangchuk, in turn, maintains that the government is simply fabricating grounds for his imprisonment.
The specific violations cited against SECMOL’s FCRA license involved several issues: the unauthorized deposit of domestically raised funds into its FCRA account, the redirection of resources toward unapproved research, such as studies concerning the nation’s sovereignty, and the failure to deposit foreign contributions into the proper FCRA-designated account. Tragically, Wednesday’s protests in Ladakh resulted in four fatalities and more than 80 injuries, including police force casualties.
About Author
I am Nishu Lamba, a law graduate and a growing legal writer . I am building my career as a corporate lawyer with my skills in contract drafting and legal research. Through my writing, I aim to make legal topics clear and easy to understand for readers.