Government revokes NSA detention, Wangchuk released

Jodhpur/New Delhi: Ladakh social and climate activists Golden Wangchuk He was released on Saturday afternoon after the Jodhpur Central Jail revoked his detention under the national security law. He was released after nearly six months in detention on September 26, 2025, two days after protests erupted in the region while he was on a hunger strike seeking statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Police opened fire on protesters, killing four people and injuring more than 80 people. Wangchuk left prison accompanied by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who arrived to meet him on Saturday morning. Ratanada SHO Dinesh Lakhawat said police escorted the couple in a private car from the jail around 1:30 pm. The Union Home Ministry had earlier issued a statement announcing the Center’s decision to withdraw his detention “immediately” and said it was committed to “creating an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust in Ladakh to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders”.

Wangchuk’s jail term is six months shorter than the detention period allowed by the National Security Agency, and the Ladakh Apex Body launched a protest on March 16 demanding the resumption of dialogue with the Center on constitutional and other safeguards.After Wangchuk’s release, government hopes to rebuild trust with Ladakh leadersThe Center’s move against freedom activist Sonam Wangchuk is expected to appease members of Ladakh’s top body, who have been complaining that no follow-up talks were scheduled to take forward talks on the constitution and other safeguards for the union territory after the round in early February. The decision comes three days before the next Supreme Court hearing on Wangchuck’s wife’s habeas corpus petition challenging his imprisonment. The government’s stand to set Wangchuck free is expected to dispel distrust against the Labor Party as the former intends to find an amicable solution that takes care of the interests of all sections of Ladakh, sources said, adding that it will simultaneously boost local confidence in the Labor Party’s ability to get the best terms. A source said the home ministry heard the latter’s demands, including those for statehood and Sixth Schedule status, at a meeting last month and explained their legal and financial constraints. Ladakh representatives were told to come back with a revised proposal showing the financial viability of their demands. However, a senior government official claimed that they instead blamed the Center for not calling them for the next round of dialogue. “Politicizing the dialogue through marches/protests and raising legal challenges to Wangchuck’s detention will only exacerbate the climate of distrust. Releasing Wangchuck should defuse the protests and get the dialogue process back on track,” the senior government official told TOI. The Center on Saturday said it has been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community figures in Ladakh with a view to addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region. The government admitted: “However, the prevailing atmosphere of marches and protests is not conducive to the peaceful character of the society and has adversely affected all sectors of society, including students, job seekers, businesses, travel agencies and tourists, as well as the overall economy.” The government said it “reaffirms its commitment to provide all necessary safeguards to Ladakh. It remains hopeful that issues concerning the region can be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the high-level committee mechanism as well as other appropriate platforms”. Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena said the decision to release Sonam Wangchuck was a “positive step” taken by the Center in promoting peace and mutual trust. Saxena said all concerns can be resolved amicably through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding and there will be no agitation, procession or violence in Ladakh. Wangchuck reiterated his commitment to Ladakh in a March 12 Former Rajasthan chief minister and Congress politician Ashok Gehlot welcomed his release on social media, writing: “The news of activist Sonam Wangchuck’s release is welcome, but the entire incident raises serious questions about the functioning of the Modi-led central government. The sudden release of a man who was jailed months ago for being described as a “threat to national security” means that no evidence has been found against him. In this case, who should explain the 170 days he was detained? Why was he arrested in the first place? “