Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk set to walk free after nearly six months of detention

The decision was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which said the detention order had been withdrawn after due consideration.

Authorities stated that Wangchuk had already completed almost half of the maximum permissible detention period under the NSA.

The ministry said the government had therefore decided to revoke the order with immediate effect.

In its official statement, the Centre emphasised its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Ladakh while encouraging dialogue with all stakeholders in the region.

Govt emphasises dialogue and stability

According to the Home Ministry, the government continues to engage actively with community leaders and representatives in Ladakh to address regional concerns and aspirations.

Officials said the administration aims to create an environment of mutual trust that would enable constructive discussions about the future of the Union Territory.

The statement also noted that frequent protests and shutdowns had disrupted daily life in Ladakh, affecting students, job seekers, tourism operators and local businesses.

Authorities said such developments had also impacted the broader economy of the region.

The government reiterated that it remains committed to safeguarding the interests of Ladakh while resolving issues through institutional mechanisms, including discussions conducted by a high-powered committee.

Arrest followed protests in Leh

Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year in Leh, two days after violent protests broke out in the region.

The demonstrations, linked to demands for constitutional safeguards and statehood for Ladakh, turned violent and resulted in four deaths while around 50 people, including security personnel, were injured.

Local authorities invoked the National Security Act to detain Wangchuk, citing the need to maintain public order.

The detention order was issued by the district magistrate of Leh.

Following his arrest, Wangchuk was transferred to a prison facility in Jodhpur.

Activism focused on climate and constitutional safeguards

Wangchuk has emerged as a prominent figure in the campaign for greater protection for Ladakh since the region became a Union Territory.

He has consistently raised concerns about climate change and its impact on Ladakh’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

At the same time, he has advocated constitutional safeguards for the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

Beginning in 2023, the activist organised several protests to highlight these demands.

Last year, he undertook a 35-day hunger strike to push for statehood and constitutional protection for Ladakh.

However, the movement escalated into unrest, after which Wangchuk called off his fast, stating that his call for peaceful protest had not achieved the intended outcome.

Legal challenge reaches Supreme Court

The detention of Wangchuk triggered significant political and legal reactions across the country.

His wife and educator Gitanjali Angmo challenged the detention order before the Supreme Court of India.

During hearings in the case, the court questioned the interpretation and translation of Wangchuk’s speech that had been cited as the basis for invoking the NSA.

Judges observed that a transcription of a three-minute speech had been expanded to seven or eight minutes, raising questions about the accuracy of the evidence used to justify the detention.

Political reactions after revocation

Following the government’s decision to revoke the detention, reactions emerged from political leaders.

Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor welcomed the move but expressed concern over the duration of Wangchuk’s incarceration.

In a statement posted on social media, Tharoor said the activist had remained in detention for 169 days, which he described as an unusually long period.

He also suggested that the Supreme Court should consider framing stricter norms governing the maximum duration for preventive detention without trial, arguing that indefinite detention practices were inherited from colonial-era legal frameworks.

Centre hopes for constructive engagement

With the revocation of the detention order, authorities have reiterated their intention to address Ladakh’s concerns through dialogue and consultation.

Officials said the government hopes ongoing engagement with community leaders and stakeholders will help resolve the region’s issues through peaceful and constructive discussion.