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Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo refutes Pakistan link and violence claims, highlighting his climate activism and peaceful protests in Ladakh.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk
Jalied climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife has refuted allegations of her husband’s Pakistan link, financial irregularities, and incitement of violence, stating that his overseas visits were on the invitation of reputed universities and institutions, and focused on climate issues.
“We attended a conference organised by the United Nations on climate change. The glaciers at the top of the Himalayas do not see whether they are flowing into Pakistan or India,” Gitanjali Angmo told news agency PTI.
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She further said Wangchuk’s presence at the ‘Breathe Pakistan’ conference in February was part of a multinational collaboration which was organised by the United Nations Pakistan and Dawn Media.
Terming the charge that Wangchuk incited the violence in Ladalh as “misplaced”, Angmo told the news agency that he has been protesting in the “most Gandhian way possible” and the “situation escalated” on September 24 due to the actions of the CRPF.
“Sonam was not aware of any non-peaceful plans. But when CRPF personnel fired tear gas shells, the youth reacted, and the situation escalated,” the co-founder of Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL) said.
She further said that she has not been able to communicate with her husband since his detention.
Claiming that they have not been handed over a copy of the detention order, Angmo said, “They promised to send it on Friday. We will take legal recourse.”
Addressing allegations of provocative speeches, Angmo said Wangchuk’s words had been mistranslated and taken out of context. She also rejected the anti-national label, citing his support for Indian Army shelters and advocacy for boycotting Chinese goods.
“We have videos to show that the students and the youth were just there for a peaceful protest. Sonam did not even know about (a non-peaceful plan),” she claimed, adding, “He only knew about a peaceful protest. But when the CRPF personnel fired tear gas shells, the youth reacted by pelting stones, and the whole situation escalated.”
She further questioned the response by the security forces, saying, “My question is, who gave the CRPF the right to open fire? Why should you open fire on your own people, on your own youth?”
Ladakh Unrest
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday by Leh Police under the National Security Act (NSA), days after violent protests in Ladakh killed four people and left over 90 injured. He was shifted to Rajasthan’s Jodhpur jail after being arrested.
Wangchuk has been accused of inciting people through his provocative statements during his hunger strike for Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth schedule and for statehood.
The protest, led by Wangchuk along with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, seeks full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution for Ladakh.
To press these demands, Wangchuk also started a hunger strike on September 10, ending it after 15 days on September 24, citing concerns over rising violence.
The government blamed Wangchuk for provocative speeches (including references to “Arab Spring-style protests” and “Gen Z protests in Nepal”) that allegedly incited the mob. The Home Ministry has also cancelled the FCRA certificate of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO.
In an official statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “A hunger strike was started by Sonam Wangchuk on September 10 stating the demand of (bringing the UT under) 6th schedule (of constitution) and statehood for Ladakh.”
(With inputs from PTI)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
September 28, 2025, 18:42 IST
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