Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk calls his six-month detention under NSA a “huge horror story” after release. He welcomes government dialogue, saying a “win-win” solution is needed for Ladakh and its people.
Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has described his nearly six-month detention in Jodhpur Central Jail as a deeply distressing experience, calling it a “huge horror story” while also expressing hope for constructive dialogue with the government following his release.
Wangchuk was released after the Central government revoked his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), bringing an end to his prolonged incarceration that began in September last year.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi shortly after his release, Wangchuk shared details of his time in custody and the difficulties faced not only by him but also by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, during this period. He explained how he had mentally prepared himself for a long legal battle and possible extended detention.
“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 (Wangchuk’s wife). Right from how abruptly from my home I was, you know, bundled up and thrown into this jail, 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 cars followed by people in cars and motorcycles. It was all a filmy scene.”
Wangchuk further highlighted the legal and logistical challenges he encountered while trying to communicate with his legal team, stating that even basic access to legal remedies became difficult during his detention.
“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.”
Despite the hardships, Wangchuk acknowledged the conduct of prison authorities and maintained a balanced view of his experience. He also welcomed the Central government’s decision to revoke his detention, describing it as a positive step towards rebuilding trust and opening channels of communication.
Expressing optimism about future engagement, Wangchuk emphasized that his fight has always been larger than personal freedom, focusing instead on the environmental and constitutional concerns of Ladakh. He reiterated that meaningful dialogue between stakeholders could lead to broader benefits for the region as well as 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,”
He further added that the outcome of his case should ideally contribute to better governance and responsible use of preventive detention laws like the NSA in the future.
“Now, with the recent extension of hands by the government to build trust, as they have said, and to facilitate meaningful constructive dialogue. This is a great thing because this way Ladakh will also win, and our cause will also win. So it will be truly a win-win. It will be a win-win-win also, because the government will come out looking better and our image in the world will be a little better and it will be even better win-win-win, if the Court also records a judgment in this case apart from revocation of the order itself so that it guides future executives and future policy makers about how to use and specially how not to use such laws as National Security Act,”
Wangchuk had been taken into custody on September 26, just two days after protests were held in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. His detention under the NSA had raised concerns among civil society groups regarding the use of preventive detention laws against activists.
With his release, Wangchuk has now called for continued dialogue with the government, stressing that legal or public action would only be considered if discussions fail. His case has once again brought attention to the balance between national security laws and individual liberties, especially in sensitive regions like Ladakh.
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