Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk released

18 MARCH 2026

In his first remarks after being released from jail, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said he would like a judicial closure of his case and “linguistic misunderstandings” may have been one of the reasons for his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) for 170 days.
Mr. Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur Central Jail after the Union Home Ministry revoked the NSA order using administrative powers rarely exercised.
He hoped that the Supreme Court would also record its judgment, despite the revocation, “so that it guides future executives and policymakers on how to use and especially how not to use such laws (NSA)”.
Following violence in Leh city on September 24, 2025, which left four people dead during a protest demanding Statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Mr. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), a law under which an individual can be detained without a trial for a year.
His wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, challenged the detention in the top court, and Mr. Wangchuk was released on March 14, days before the court was expected to give its verdict.
Asked about the criticism from some sections that labelled him “anti-national”, he said, “My movement was not for myself. It was to preserve the culture and environment of Ladakh. If they do not honour that, then our struggle will continue.”