Ladakh: Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, who returned to Ladakh this week after his release from nearly six months of detention, has expressed a strong desire to transition from protest to “constructive dialogue.” Speaking to reporters on Sunday, March 22, 2026, Wangchuk described the revocation of his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) as a “positive sign” and an “extended hand” from the Union Government to rebuild trust with the people of the region.
Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on March 14, 2026, after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revoked the NSA order originally issued by the Leh district magistrate on September 26, 2025. His detention followed a period of intense unrest in Leh, where protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh turned violent, resulting in four deaths and numerous injuries. Reflecting on his 170 days in custody, Wangchuk noted that while “many mistakes were made” from a justice perspective, he chose not to hold onto bitterness, instead focusing on achieving a “win-win” outcome for both the government and the Ladakhi people.
While Wangchuk has signaled a willingness for a “give and take” approach in negotiations, the key socio-political bodies in the region—the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—maintain a firmer stance. On March 16, 2026, a total shutdown and massive protest rallies were observed across Ladakh to reiterate that their core demands for full statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule remain non-negotiable. These groups have also demanded the immediate release of other jailed activists, including ex-MLA Deldan Namgyal and ex-councillor Smanla Dorje Nurboo.
The Union Government has indicated that the decision to release Wangchuk was aimed at fostering an environment of peace and mutual trust to facilitate “meaningful dialogue.” The next phase of this engagement is expected to involve the High-Powered Committee chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, which last met on February 4. Wangchuk, who is now consulting with local leaders in Leh, emphasized that while he remains a “Gandhian” who will protest if forced, his current priority is to ensure that the “voices from the mountains” lead to effective and lasting constitutional protections for Ladakh’s fragile ecology and cultural identity.
