In New Delhi/Jodhpur/Leh, on March 14, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been detained for nearly six months, was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday afternoon, hours after the Union Government announced its decision to revoke his detention under the National Security Act. This move was welcomed by political parties and agitation groups in Ladakh.
Wangchuk, 59, was detained on September 26 last year under the stringent National Security Act, following an order issued by the Leh district magistrate, two days after violent protests erupted during an agitation by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance for statehood to Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The protests resulted in the death of four people.
Wangchuk was held in Jodhpur Central Jail, where he had already spent nearly half of the detention period stipulated under the Act. The Centre announced the decision to revoke his detention "with immediate effect".
"He was released from jail at approximately 1:30 pm today following an order from the central government," Ratanada Police Station SHO Dinesh Lakhawat said in Jodhpur, adding that his wife, Geetanjali Angmo, was present to complete the formalities.
The Centre stated that the decision was made to foster an environment of peace and mutual trust in Ladakh to facilitate constructive dialogue with all stakeholders.
The Supreme Court had adjourned the hearing on a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, challenging his detention.
The government reiterated its commitment to provide all necessary safeguards for Ladakh, expressing hope that the region's issues will be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the High-Powered Committee, constituted to address the concerns of the people of Ladakh, and other appropriate platforms.
Wangchuk had written on X that a just future for Ladakh would require sincere dialogue.
"I have not stepped away from activism. My commitment to Ladakh remains unchanged... But activism must serve a larger purpose: a just, lasting future for Ladakh. It will require clarity, unity, and sincere dialogue.
"Our struggle has always been for Ladakh's protection, dignity, and long-term well-being and shall continue to be!!" he had said.
Congress leader and lawyer for Wangchuk, Vivek Tankha, asserted that he is a nationalist and his role will be crucial for Ladakh's security and stability.
Newly sworn-in Ladakh Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena welcomed the Centre's decision, calling it a "positive step", but underlined that "there is no place for agitation, bandhs, or violence in Ladakh. Such actions do not contribute to meaningful progress."
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which are spearheading the agitation over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, termed the release a "big victory" for the people of Ladakh, saying it vindicated their stand on his innocence and removed the anti-national blot on the region.
The LAB and KDA remain engaged in talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs over their key demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, issues that have simmered since the region was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory in 2019.
The last meeting of the high-powered committee chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai took place on February 4, where both bodies demanded the release of Wangchuk, among other demands.
"This is not just about Wangchuk but about the whole of Ladakh. We had maintained from the start that the allegations against him, including the anti-national charge, were baseless. Today, Ladakh stands vindicated," LAB Co-Chairman Chering Dorjey said in Leh.
He said the movement for Ladakh's political demands would continue despite the release.
"It will give fresh momentum to our movement," he said and added that the revocation appeared timed ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on March 17.
"We believe the case was withdrawn before the March 17 hearing as the same outcome was expected from the Supreme Court," he said.
Dorjey said their main demands remained unchanged and the struggle would continue, asserting that the group will take a call on the proposed protest rally in both Leh and Kargil on March 16 in the wake of an appeal by Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra.
Calling the development a major relief, he said the people of Ladakh felt hurt by the anti-national allegations made against them. "We are among the most nationalist people in the country, yet we were branded anti-national for the first time. It was a serious blot on Ladakh.
He said the two other detained leaders are expected to be granted bail at the next hearing in the court on March 23.
Kargil-based politician and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) member Sajjad Kargili, in a post on X, demanded the immediate release of Deldan Namgial and Smanla Dorjey, and appealed to the government to drop all charges against other detainees unconditionally.
Other leaders in Ladakh also hailed Wangchuk's release and demanded the release of other political prisoners from the region.
Welcoming the revocation of the NSA against Wangchuk, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for the release of those arrested in the valley during the recent anti-US and anti-Israel protests.
"He should not have been arrested. His arrest was wrong and that too under the NSA," Abdullah told reporters here on the sidelines of Spring Festival in Srinagar.
He emphasised that the situation in Ladakh should remain stable and insisted that, just as the promises made to Jammu and Kashmir need to be fulfilled, the same applies to Ladakh.
Abdullah noted that just like Wangchuk's case, those facing minor charges or those who have spent longer in jail than their sentence would otherwise be should be released as well.
"We welcome the release of Sonam Wangchuk. But others also need to be released, and the government should also take back the cases filed against people who participated in the protests," Ladakh MP Mohamad Hanifa said. He said that the protest was a constitutional right and urged the government to pursue dialogue.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the stringent law should never have been invoked against the environmentalist.
Jammu and Kashmir Congress also welcomed the release of the innovator activist and questioned the circumstances that led to his detention for more than six months "without clear justification". It also demanded the release of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik, who was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in September last year.