SRINAGAR: Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Dr Gitanjali J Angmo submitted Tuesday a detailed representation to Ladakh administration, National Security Act (NSA) advisory board, and Union home ministry, calling the charges against her husband “flimsy, childish and baseless”.The representation responds to the NSA order issued on Sept 27 and the grounds of arrest dated Sept 28, following the Sept 24 police firing in Leh that left four people dead and over 70 wounded during violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.“We have stated that the accusations against Sonam Wangchuk, based on videos, are very flimsy. His video speeches have been taken out of context,” Angmo said. “The NSA charge sheet cites several videos, but we have provided full versions with subtitles and transcripts to show that the allegations are baseless.”Angmo, co-founder of Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, said one of the videos cited by authorities was “grossly misinterpreted”. “In one clip, he refers to revolutions in Bangladesh and Nepal and Gen Z but clearly says ours should be peaceful. Authorities twisted this to claim he was calling for similar protests in Ladakh,” she said. Wangchuk began a 35-day hunger strike for Sixth Schedule safeguards and statehood on Sept 9, accusing Centre of delaying talks on Ladakh’s democratic rights. The home ministry had announced a new round of talks for Oct 6, but violence broke out on Sept 24, prompting him to break his fast. Authorities later arrested more than 70 people, including Wangchuk, who was subsequently moved to Jodhpur jail.Angmo said her husband’s case “is not about law and order but about silencing a voice that speaks for Ladakh’s people”.“NSA is meant for terrorists and smugglers,” Angmo said. “We have clearly stated that Sonam poses no threat, has never been a threat, and his arrest is an attempt to silence his voice and the peaceful movement for Ladakh’s statehood.”She questioned the timing and relevance of the charges. “The FIRs mentioned are old, and the videos are one year old. How can such videos incite a protest now?” she asked.She said 11 videos were listed, including unrelated ones. “For instance, during last year’s long march, Sonam was held briefly in New Delhi. When some youths in Ladakh observed a spontaneous bandh, it was attributed to him and his supporters. People love him — their actions were voluntary,” she said.According to Angmo, officials also misread Wangchuk’s remarks on the Ladakh Scouts. “They allege he demotivated the force in case of war with Pakistan or China. What he actually said was that border residents should be kept content so they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army,” she said.Angmo said another video was misquoted to suggest Wangchuk urged confrontation with China. “In reality, he was quoting a comedian and rejecting that view. He clarified that while one may differ with any political party, we will always stand with India and its Army,” she said.The representation was drafted by senior lawyer and Congress RS MP Vivek Tankha and others. He later wrote on X: “How can Govt even conceive detaining @Wangchuk66 (a Gandhian) under NSA after the kind of exemplary work he has done in Ladhak…. My appeal to Govt order his release…” Go to Source
