Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of renowned education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has made an emotional appeal to President Droupadi Murmu, invoking her tribal heritage and constitutional role to seek the immediate and unconditional release of her husband. Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, 2025, following violent protests in Leh over demands for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, remains lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail.
In a three-page letter addressed to the President and copied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Angmo described Wangchuk as the “voice of Ladakh tribals” and a “man of peace” who has been unjustly targeted for his advocacy. She urged Murmu to act as the “moral conscience of the nation” and restore sanity to what she called a “chaotic state of affairs.”
Timeline of Events Leading to Wangchuk’s Detention
| Date | Event Description | Outcome/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 10, 2025 | Wangchuk begins 35-day hunger strike in Leh | Peaceful protest for Sixth Schedule |
| Sept 24, 2025 | Violence erupts during Leh demonstrations | 4 dead, 80+ injured |
| Sept 26, 2025 | Wangchuk detained under NSA, shifted to Jodhpur Jail | Preventive custody invoked |
| Oct 1, 2025 | Angmo writes to President Murmu | Appeals for release, cites tribal roots |
Angmo, who is the founder and CEO of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), expressed deep concern over the lack of communication with her husband since his arrest. “I was assured that I would be able to speak with him after his transfer to Jodhpur. Till today, I have not received any call. I am completely unaware of his condition,” she wrote.
She also alleged that she and her institute have been placed under CRPF surveillance, with students and staff being monitored and two members taken into custody without legal authority. “Even media was barred from entering our campus. This is not just about my husband—it’s a full-scale witch hunt,” she stated.
Key Allegations Made by Gitanjali Angmo
| Allegation | Description | Legal/Constitutional Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal Detention | No access to husband, no legal grounds shared | Violation of Articles 21 and 22 |
| Surveillance of HIAL Campus | CRPF presence, staff and students monitored | Breach of privacy and academic freedom |
| Media Blackout | Journalists denied entry to campus | Suppression of press freedom |
| Arbitrary FIR | FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against HIAL | Targeting of educational institution |
| Denial of Legal Representation | No access to counsel or legal documents | Violation of due process |
In her letter, Angmo questioned whether peaceful advocacy for climate change, glacier preservation, and tribal rights could be construed as a threat to national security. “Is it a crime to speak about melting glaciers, educational reforms, and grassroots innovation? To raise one’s voice for the upliftment of a backward tribal belt in a Gandhian manner?” she asked.
She appealed to President Murmu’s tribal background, stating, “You being from a tribal community yourself would understand the sentiments of Ladakh’s residents better than anyone else. We ask you to intervene and inject the voice of sanity.”
Sonam Wangchuk – Profile of a Peaceful Activist
| Attribute | Details | Recognition/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Profession | Education reformer, climate activist | Founder of SECMOL, HIAL |
| Awards | Ramon Magsaysay Award (2018) | Global recognition for innovation |
| Advocacy Focus | Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, climate action | Peaceful protests, hunger strikes |
| Role in Ladakh | Voice for tribal autonomy and ecology | Widely respected across communities |
| Support to Army | Innovations for high-altitude survival | Credited with grassroots tech solutions |
The Ministry of Home Affairs has accused Wangchuk of inciting violence through provocative speeches. However, civil society organizations, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), have condemned his detention as arbitrary and unconstitutional. PUCL stated that the NSA is being misused to silence democratic dissent and warned that Wangchuk’s continued imprisonment could deepen the crisis in Ladakh.
Legal and Constitutional Context – NSA and Sixth Schedule
| Provision | Description | Relevance to Wangchuk’s Case |
|---|---|---|
| National Security Act (NSA) | Preventive detention up to 2 years without trial | Used to detain Wangchuk on Sept 26 |
| Sixth Schedule | Autonomous councils for tribal regions under Article 244(2) | Core demand of Leh protests |
| Article 21 | Protection of life and personal liberty | Alleged violation in Wangchuk’s detention |
| Article 22 | Rights of arrested persons | Denial of legal access and representation |
Social media platforms have erupted in support of Wangchuk, with hashtags like #FreeSonamWangchuk, #VoiceOfLadakh, and #TribalJustice trending across Twitter/X, Facebook, and YouTube. Prominent activists, academics, and artists have called for his release and urged the government to engage in dialogue with Ladakh’s civil society.
Public Sentiment – Social Media Buzz on Wangchuk’s Detention
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 2.3M mentions | 84% supportive | #FreeSonamWangchuk #VoiceOfLadakh |
| 2.0M interactions | 80% outraged | #TribalJustice #ClimateActivism | |
| 1.6M views | 85% analytical | #HumanRightsIndia #WangchukDetained | |
| YouTube | 1.4M views | 82% reflective | #WangchukExplained #LadakhProtests |
Gitanjali Angmo’s appeal has struck a chord with many, especially in tribal and ecologically sensitive regions. Her invocation of President Murmu’s tribal roots adds a powerful emotional and constitutional dimension to the plea, reinforcing the need for empathy, justice, and democratic accountability.
In conclusion, the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk has triggered a national debate on the limits of peaceful activism, the use of preventive detention laws, and the rights of tribal communities. As his wife appeals to the highest constitutional office, the nation watches closely for a response that could redefine the contours of dissent and democracy in India.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports, legal commentary, and verified statements. It does not constitute legal advice or confirmation of any judicial outcome. All quotes are attributed to public figures and institutions as per coverage. Readers are advised to follow official government notifications and court proceedings for verified updates.
