Leh: In the wake of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest under the National Security Act (NSA), his wife Gitanjali Angmo has strongly dismissed accusations of foreign links and incitement to violence, calling them baseless and an attempt to malign a peaceful movement for Ladakh’s rights.
Wangchuk, an engineer, innovator, and environmentalist known for his climate activism and educational reforms, was detained just two days after protests in Leh demanding Sixth Schedule status and full statehood for Ladakh turned violent, resulting in four deaths and nearly 90 injuries. He has since been moved to a prison in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
“He Protested in the Most Gandhian Way Possible”: Angmo
Addressing the growing controversy, Angmo said Wangchuk’s decades-long activism has always remained nonviolent and solution-driven.
“The events of September 24 spiraled due to excessive force by the CRPF, not because of Sonam. His approach has always been inspired by Gandhi, not by confrontation,” she said.
She further added that she has not been allowed any communication with her husband since the arrest and is yet to receive the official detention order.
Pakistan Link Accusations “Outrageous and Misleading”
In response to statements by Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal, who suggested that Wangchuk is being investigated for potential links to Pakistan — citing his past visits and the recent arrest of a Pakistani operative — Angmo said such claims were “deeply misleading.”
“He was invited to a UN conference on climate change hosted in Pakistan. It was a professional, global event — not a political platform,” she clarified.
Angmo also pointed out that Wangchuk had praised Prime Minister Modi during the same visit, underscoring that the participation was in line with environmental diplomacy, not subversive activities.
She further noted that organisations like ICIMOD — the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development — regularly host joint dialogues with participation from all eight countries in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, including India and Pakistan.
“You can’t work on glaciers and climate without transboundary collaboration. Nature doesn’t follow political borders,” she said.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct Denied
Angmo also spoke out against allegations of financial irregularities at HIAL (Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning) and SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), organisations co-founded by Wangchuk.
She stated that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) issues cited by the government were the result of bureaucratic hold-ups and changes in administrative categories, not illegal funding.
“HIAL runs without charging any tuition fees to its 400 students. All foreign funds came from consulting assignments, not donations. The government is trying to portray innovation and service as crime,” she added.
Earlier this month, the Union Home Ministry revoked SECMOL’s FCRA license, citing financial discrepancies — a move widely criticised by civil society groups as part of a crackdown on independent institutions.
“Who Gave CRPF the Right to Fire on Their Own Youth?”
Recounting the September 24 incident, Angmo said the protests led by the Leh Apex Body were peaceful until security forces escalated tensions.
“Tear gas was fired into a student gathering. Naturally, there was a reaction. But this was not premeditated violence. It was a peaceful sit-in that turned tragic due to a heavy-handed response.”
She questioned the government’s approach in dealing with internal dissent, especially in a region still adjusting to post-Article 370 changes.
A Symbol of Ladakh’s Struggle
Wangchuk has emerged as a key figure in Ladakh’s civil movement, advocating for environmental protections, constitutional safeguards, and greater autonomy under the Sixth Schedule. His detention has drawn widespread criticism from rights groups, opposition parties, and environmental advocates.
As legal teams prepare to challenge the NSA charges, Angmo said they remain hopeful.
“We will pursue all legal remedies. This is not just about Sonam — it’s about the voice of Ladakh being silenced.”
While Wangchuk remains behind bars, the debate over rights, development, and democracy in Ladakh has taken center stage once again — and so has the legacy of one man’s fight for the mountains he calls home.
