Prominent climate activist from Ladakh Sonam Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur jail on Saturday after nearly six months,on withdrawal of National Security Act against him by the Central government.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Saturday it had decided to end Wangchuk’s detention under India’s National Security Act (NSA) “with immediate effect” after “due consideration”.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025 under the National Security Act (NSA) after a protest demanding statehood for Ladakh turned violent and four protesters were killed in police firing.
The Central government had blamed the violence on “provocative speeches” by Wangchuk in the sensitive Leh region bordering China and Pakistan.
Mustafa Haji, a lawyer for the Leh Apex Body – which spearheaded last year’s protests – told a news agency “Wangchuk was released from a jail in the western city of Jodhpur on Saturday”.
Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike demanding inclusion of Ladakh under 6th Schedule, statehood for Ladakh and constitutional protections for its tribal communities, land and fragile environment.
An engineer by training, Wangchuk is best known for pioneering water conservation projects in the Himalayas. He received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for his environmental work and contributions to reforming local schooling in Ladakh.
His life and work are said to have inspired a character played by Bollywood actor Aamir Khan in the hugely popular movie, Three Idiots.
( With inputs from agencies )
