“I’ll Stay in Prison Till There’s Justice”: Sonam Wangchuk Sends Message from Behind Bars

By NE Times Bharat | Updated: October 6, 2025

Leh/Jodhpur:
Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk remains in Jodhpur Central Jail after being detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, following violent clashes in Leh, Ladakh, that left four people dead and several injured.

The violence broke out during a protest demanding statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. Authorities claimed Wangchuk’s speeches and social media activity had incited public unrest, a charge he firmly denies.

From jail, Wangchuk has sent a message through his lawyers, stating,

“If this is the cost of truth, I will gladly stay in prison till there’s justice. My fight is not personal — it’s for the mountains, the glaciers, and the people of Ladakh.”

Wife Moves Supreme Court

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has filed a habeas corpus petition before the Supreme Court of India, challenging the legality of his detention under the NSA. The petition argues that the detention order violates constitutional rights and was carried out without proper notice to the family.

The Supreme Court, led by a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, has issued notices to the Centre and the Ladakh UT administration seeking a response within two weeks. The Court has also questioned why the grounds of detention were not provided to Wangchuk’s wife if the authorities claim they were served to him.

Judicial Probe Demanded

Meanwhile, Wangchuk has called for an independent judicial probe into the September 24 violence in Leh. He alleges that “outside elements” provoked the violence to discredit peaceful environmental and civil rights movements in Ladakh.

FCRA License Cancelled

In a related development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the FCRA licence of SECMOL, the NGO founded by Wangchuk. The cancellation prevents the organisation from receiving any foreign funding, a move that supporters describe as an attempt to “silence” grassroots initiatives in the region.

Public Outcry and Support

Across India and abroad, environmental activists, educators, and civil society groups have expressed solidarity with Wangchuk. Hashtags like #FreeSonamWangchuk and #SaveLadakh continue to trend on social media.
Several student organisations in Ladakh and Delhi have held peaceful candlelight marches demanding his release.

Background

Sonam Wangchuk, known globally for inspiring Aamir Khan’s character in 3 Idiots, is an award-winning innovator and advocate for sustainable Himalayan living. He has long campaigned for Ladakh’s autonomy and environmental preservation amid rising concerns over uncontrolled tourism and glacier melting.

By Sayani Mishra