Centre revokes Sonam Wangchuk's detention under NSA after almost 6 months, guarantees ‘necessary safeguards for Ladakh’

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's detention is being revoked with immediate effect, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in an official statement said on Saturday.

The Centre said it has decided to revoke Wangchuk's detention by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act (NSA).

Wangchuk was detained on 26 September 2025, two days after Leh protests became violent over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

He was detained under the NSA on the orders of the district magistrate, Leh, to "maintain public order" and then transferred to Jodhpur prison.

“In the backdrop of the serious law and order situation that arose in the peace-loving town of Leh on 24 September 2025, Sonam Wangchuk was detained on 26 September 2025 under the provisions of the NSA pursuant to an order issued by the District Magistrate, Leh, with a view to maintaining public order,” the official statement read.

Wangchuk has already undergone nearly half of the period of detention under the NSA, the statement said.

"The government has been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region," it said.

The Ministry said that the Government is “committed to fostering an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust” in Ladakh to facilitate “constructive and meaningful dialogue” with all stakeholders.

Centre also reiterated its commitment to providing “all necessary safeguards” for Ladakh.

“It remains hopeful that the issues concerning the region will be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the mechanism of the High-Powered Committee as well as other appropriate platforms,” the statement read.

Centre told SC Wangchuk tried to instigate Gen Z for protests

On February 26, the Supreme Court scheduled the final hearing on a plea challenging Wangchuk's detention for March 10. The apex court has questioned whether his speeches and social media posts could legitimately be interpreted as provocative and linked to the Leh violence.

The Centre and Ladakh administration told SC that Wangchuk had tried to instigate a Nepal and Bangladesh-like Gen Z protest in India too.

“He carefully crafted his speech to instigate Gen Z and asked for agitations like in Nepal and Bangladesh and used speeches of Mahatma Gandhi to cover the real intention,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told SC on February 2.

Centre had also contested that Wangchuk, during his speech, referred to government as “them” and people of Ladakh as “us” and called for “plebiscite” and “referendum”, the calls which were made once in Jammu and Kashmir.