Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk walked free from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs revoked his detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), ending nearly six months of incarceration. Yet, the relief has not quelled unrest in Ladakh — protests against the central government are set to erupt across the Union Territory as announced by civil society groups.
Wangchuk, a prominent voice in Ladakh’s long-standing campaign for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, was detained on September 26, 2025, following violent clashes in Leh that left four dead and scores injured. Authorities had cited his alleged provocative speeches during hunger strikes and protests demanding constitutional safeguards, tribal protections, land rights, and environmental preservation for the fragile Himalayan region.
His release, confirmed around 1:30 pm on March 14 after the MHA order, came amid ongoing dialogue between the Centre and local bodies, with the government stating it aimed to foster “peace, stability, and mutual trust” for constructive talks.
However, leaders from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which represent social, political, and religious groups in Leh and Kargil, insisted that the agitation would continue undeterred. Asgar Ali Karbalai of KDA declared: “People’s patience has run out. We want to tell the Indian government that we will not sit quietly. We will continue our struggle for our constitutional rights. The main part is statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.”
Sajjad Kargil, a member of the Ladakh administration, echoed: “Wangchuk’s release has given us tremendous relief. However, the issue of Wangchuk’s detention was created and resolved by the central government itself. Our protest demonstrations and demands are on a broader scale.”
The groups’ core demands include full statehood, Sixth Schedule status, separate MPs for Leh and Kargil, and filling government vacancies — issues they say transcend individual cases. With security on high alert, March 16 could see widespread demonstrations, shutdowns, and street action, underscoring Ladakh’s unresolved grievances despite the activist’s freedom.
Comments are closed.