Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo, submitted a detailed representation to the Ladakh administration, NSA advisory board, and Union Home Ministry, calling the charges against him “flimsy, childish and baseless,” demanding justice.
Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo, submitted a comprehensive representation to the Ladakh administration, the National Security Act (NSA) advisory board, and the Union home ministry, describing the charges against her husband as “flimsy, childish and baseless.”
This representation addresses the NSA order issued on September 27 and the grounds for arrest dated September 28, following the police firing on September 24 in Leh, which resulted in four fatalities and over 70 injuries during violent protests advocating for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
Angmo explained,
“We have stated that the accusations against Sonam Wangchuk, based on videos, are very flimsy. His video speeches have been taken out of context,”
Also Read: Why Is the Lokpal Buying BMWs? Public Outcry Over Rs.70 Lakh Car Tender
She noted that the NSA charge sheet references several videos, but they have provided full versions with subtitles and transcripts to demonstrate that the allegations are unfounded. Angmo, who co-founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, pointed out that one of the cited videos was “grossly misinterpreted.”
She clarified,
“In one clip, he refers to revolutions in Bangladesh and Nepal and Gen Z but clearly says ours should be peaceful. Authorities twisted this to claim he was calling for similar protests in Ladakh,”
Wangchuk began a 35-day hunger strike for Sixth Schedule protections and statehood on September 9, accusing the Centre of stalling discussions regarding Ladakh’s democratic rights.
Although the home ministry announced a new round of talks for October 6, violence erupted on September 24, leading him to end his fast. Subsequently, over 70 individuals were arrested, including Wangchuk, who was later transferred to Jodhpur jail.
Angmo asserted that her husband’s case “is not about law and order but about silencing a voice that speaks for Ladakh’s people.”
She emphasized that “NSA is meant for terrorists and smugglers,”
She also added,
“We have clearly stated that Sonam poses no threat, has never been a threat, and his arrest is an attempt to silence his voice and the peaceful movement for Ladakh’s statehood.”
She raised concerns about the timing and relevance of the charges, questioning,
“The FIRs mentioned are old, and the videos are one year old. How can such videos incite a protest now?”
Angmo indicated that 11 videos were listed, including some unrelated ones.
She noted,
“For instance, during last year’s long march, Sonam was held briefly in New Delhi. When some youths in Ladakh observed a spontaneous bandh, it was attributed to him and his supporters. People love him their actions were voluntary,”
According to Angmo, officials also misinterpreted Wangchuk’s comments regarding the Ladakh Scouts.
She stated,
“They allege he demotivated the force in case of war with Pakistan or China. What he actually said was that border residents should be kept content so they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army,”
Angmo commented that another video was misquoted to suggest Wangchuk advocated for confrontation with China.
She explained,
“In reality, he was quoting a comedian and rejecting that view. He clarified that while one may differ with any political party, we will always stand with India and its Army,”
The representation was drafted by senior lawyer and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha and others.
He later expressed on X,
“How can Govt even conceive detaining @Wangchuk66 (a Gandhian) under NSA after the kind of exemplary work he has done in Ladakh…. My appeal to Govt order his release…”
Even as discussions are set to resume in New Delhi on October 22, Today regarding Ladakh’s demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the government appears unwilling to release Sonam Wangchuk or grant significant autonomy to the region.
This comes despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging the people of Ladakh to remain patient and assuring them that the talks would yield positive results.
During an event hosted by a TV news channel, the home minister responded to questions about the situation. A delegation from Ladakh had previously refused to attend talks scheduled for October 6 until peace was restored and protestors, including Wangchuk, were released. Since then, six individuals detained since September 24 have been freed, and the government claims that normalcy has returned to Ladakh.
The Ladakh administration pointed to the reopening of schools and shops as evidence of this normalcy.
However, many in Ladakh disagree with this assessment. Dr. Muntasif, a former assistant professor at Delhi University, emphasized that while daily life must continue, it doesn’t mean that people are any less resentful or unhappy.
He asked,
“Ladakh has never felt this isolated and disenfranchised. Where are our elected leaders? Why are these bureaucrats taking all the decisions in Ladakh? Does the LAHDC still exist?”
The delegation from Ladakh is expected to advocate for a timely judicial inquiry, compensation for those killed or injured during the September 24 incident, medical aid, and the release of all detainees, including Sonam Wangchuk.
With the home minister effectively ruling out Wangchuk’s release and deferring the decision to the judiciary regarding his alleged threat to national security, the chances of a favorable outcome seem bleak.
Given the lengthy imprisonments of individuals like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam for their controversial speeches prior to the 2020 Delhi riots, Wangchuk may face a prolonged period in custody.
His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, shared on X,
“Sonam Wangchuk today embodies the sentiment of every Ladakhi, from Matayan to Chushul. I have full faith that the leadership of LAB & KDA will raise this issue firmly in the 22 October meeting and honour the sacrifices made by Sonam Wangchuk and the people of Ladakh for our future.”
Concerns about the upcoming talks have also arisen with the abrupt withdrawal of Ladakh Congress leader Nawang Rigzin Zora from the apex body sub-committee and high-powered committee. Speculations suggest that this may be due to governmental pressure, as the government has accused the Congress of “colluding with foreign powers” to incite unrest in Ladakh, indicating a reluctance to allow any party representatives to negotiate with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Despite the government announcing a commission of inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Justice B.S. Chauhan (retd) to investigate the violence on September 24, there is widespread skepticism within Ladakh. Many believe the inquiry should also examine the conditions that led to police firing and identify who ordered it.
They argue for the inclusion of local representatives in the inquiry commission rather than relying solely on outsiders.
Additionally, they insist that the inquiry must be prompt and not drawn out indefinitely.
Earlier, On October 6, the apex court had issued notices to both the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Additionally, Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has appealed to the Supreme Court against her husband’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA) by the Ladakh administration.
Wangchuk was detained shortly after violence erupted in Leh, where protestors advocating for statehood for Ladakh clashed with police. He has been a leading voice in the demand for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the region.
Angmo has previously criticized the government regarding her husband’s detention, claiming “he is being portrayed as anti-national in a witch-hunt.”
The Ladakh Police apprehended activist Sonam Wangchuk and invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) just two days after the Union Territory experienced some of its worst violence in decades.
This unrest was triggered by protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, which escalated into violent clashes.
Earlier, the Union home ministry revoked the license of his NGO under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, citing alleged violations. The MHA linked the mob violence and arson that occurred to “provocative” speeches made by Wangchuk, who referenced Arab Spring-style protests and the Gen Z movements in Nepal.
Wangchuk, however, contended that the government is fabricating a case to imprison him.
The alleged violations include depositing locally generated funds into SECMOL’s FCRA account, diverting funds for non-permissible activities such as studying the nation’s sovereignty, and failing to deposit foreign funds into the designated FCRA account.
The protests in Ladakh resulted in four fatalities and over 80 injuries, including among police personnel, on Wednesday. A curfew was imposed in Leh, vehicles were set on fire, and security forces resorted to firing tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowds.
The BJP office in Leh was also set ablaze during the unrest.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
