Central Government Revokes NSA on Sonam Wangchuk, Detention Ends with Immediate Effect

New Delhi: After spending more than six months in Jodhpur jail, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has finally been freed. The Union Home Ministry on Saturday issued an order to immediately cancel his detention under the National Security Act. He was arrested after violent clashes in Leh in September last year.

What happened in Leh on 24th September?

The matter is of September 24 last year. There was a big demonstration in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, which turned violent in no time. Four people were killed and more than ninety were injured. Two days later, Wangchuk was taken into custody under the NSA. The government said that he fueled the violence by giving inflammatory speeches. Wangchuk had condemned the violence on his social media and said it would ruin the austerity of Ladakh.

Why did the wife reach the Supreme Court?

Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo approached the Supreme Court. In the petition, the detention was described as arbitrary and unconstitutional. During the hearing, the Supreme Court posed sharp questions to the government and said Wangchuk's speeches were "stretched too far" to serve as grounds for detention. The court also noted errors in the translation of the video. The case was scheduled to be heard on March 10, this order came just four days after that.

What did the Home Ministry say?

The ministry said in its statement that it is necessary to create an environment of peace and dialogue in Ladakh, and this decision was taken in view of this. It also added that students, job candidates, businessmen, tour operators and tourism businesses have been badly hurt by the continuous bandhs and protests.

Was there an accusation of provoking Gen Z?

The Centre had also alleged earlier that Wangchuk was trying to bring the youth out on the streets, similar to the movements in Nepal and Bangladesh. This allegation was controversial and his supporters called it baseless.

What next?

With the release, the Center also made it clear that it will continue talks with the stakeholders of Ladakh. But the demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule is still incomplete. Wangchuk's freedom is definitely a sign, but the real question of Ladakh has not been resolved yet.