Why is Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Detained? His Wife Reveals Shocking Details!

Detention of Sonam Wangchuk: A Controversial Move

New Delhi: Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has alleged that her husband was detained following violent protests in Ladakh because the government wanted to prevent him from participating in statehood discussions with local organizations. She described him as a "tough nut to crack" for the authorities.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are the primary groups currently negotiating with the government regarding statehood and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh.

In a statement to the press after submitting an amended petition to the Supreme Court, Angmo asserted that Wangchuk was never a member of either the LAB or the KDA, despite a recent unilateral decision to include him.

Wangchuk was taken into custody under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, just two days after protests demanding statehood resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries. The government accused him of inciting the unrest.

The NSA allows for the detention of individuals deemed a threat to national security, with a maximum detention period of 12 months, although it can be lifted sooner.

Angmo expressed that the government is apprehensive about Wangchuk's potential influence, noting that he is a Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient who would advocate strongly for Ladakh's interests.

She claimed that the authorities fear that his presence would complicate negotiations, leading to less favorable outcomes for them.

Angmo suggested that the real motive behind his detention is to facilitate the government's ability to propose less optimal solutions without facing rigorous scrutiny.

As an educationist, she emphasized that the government is aware that her husband would not accept superficial compromises.

She further alleged that the government created a "smokescreen" to justify his absence from negotiations, fearing embarrassment over their refusal to allow him to participate.

Angmo received documentation outlining the reasons for Wangchuk's detention, asserting that the statements attributed to him were either misquoted or taken out of context.

She noted that various media outlets have fact-checked these claims and found them to be inaccurate.

According to Angmo, the videos cited as evidence for his detention are outdated, with most being 14 to 15 months old or recorded after the protests.

When questioned about the alleged inflammatory remarks referenced in the detention order, she clarified that the issues concerning Nepal and Bangladesh were discussed months prior, and Wangchuk was merely quoting someone else.

She explained that he was advocating for peaceful protests, stating, "We will not do it that way," in reference to the violent actions in those countries.

The Supreme Court has acknowledged Angmo's amended plea and requested responses from the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh within ten days. The case is scheduled for a hearing on November 24.