• Source:JND
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Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk delivered an emotional and clear message during his first press conference on Tuesday after his release from Jodhpur Central Jail, following nearly six months of detention. He described his ordeal as a "huge horror story" and shed light on the difficulties his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, faced while seeking legal recourse during his imprisonment.

Wangchuk emphasised that his personal release should not be seen as a victory, stating that the real struggle continues to revolve around the pressing issues facing Ladakh and the Himalayas.

Wangchuk was freed after nearly six months in detention, following the government's revocation of his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) on Saturday. He had been arrested during the ongoing movement demanding full statehood for Ladakh and constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule.

He recalled, "I was waiting to come out (of the jail) either as we win in the court or after 12 months. I was very well prepared to spend 12 months and come out and share the horror stories of all the wrongs that happened to me and to her (Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo). Right from how abruptly I was bundled up and thrown into this jail from my home, without any opportunity even to call my family or my lawyers for days, more than a week. Or of her, who could not even meet journalists to voice her anguish with heavy security positioning around the campus and how she slipped out into Delhi to knock on the doors of the court and how for two or three weeks there was a kind of cat-and-mouse chase on the streets of Delhi with her car followed by people in cars and motorcycles. It was all a filmy scene."

Reflecting on his time in jail, he revealed that he had been suddenly detained and had no contact with his family or lawyers for nearly 10 days. Despite the challenges, he framed the experience as part of the larger struggle.

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"It was a huge horror story of how it was made so difficult to send anything to my lawyers. Otherwise, it was great. The jail, the staff, and the people there were very upright and very kind despite keeping to their laws and disciplines and so on. I'm happy that I won't have to go into those things... But now with this hand extended from the government, I'm spared from having to do any of those. I really hope that the dialogue process will go on. "And only if they fail and we are compelled to again appeal in other ways will we need to share those," he added.

Wangchuk welcomed the government's gesture to initiate a meaningful dialogue, calling it a "win-win" for Ladakh, the causes he represents, and even the authorities.

"I feel wonderful today after these two days of regaining my voice and unfurling my little wings and reorienting myself... I'm a little greedy person. A win was not enough for me. I was always looking for a win-win. A win would be just Sonam Wangchuk's win. What good is Sonam Wangchuk winning if Ladakh and the Himalayas and the causes he represents do not win? Therefore, we were looking for a win-win for the causes," Wangchuk said.

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He stressed that his fight was not only for personal justice but also aimed at securing broader environmental and regional benefits. Wangchuk expressed hope that the ongoing process would influence the future use of laws such as the National Security Act.

Wangchuk was arrested on September 26, 2025, two days after protests in Leh calling for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

What Are the Demands?

In Ladakh, protests led by the Leh Apex Body (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are centered around four primary issues:

- The demand for full statehood for Ladakh.

- Constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule.

- Reservation in employment for the local population.

- Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.

 


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