India twisting Wangchuk’s words to justify detention under draconian law: Wife
Climate activist says remarks were distorted to link him with Leh violence
Jammu: Detained Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has told the three-member advisory board reviewing his case that his statements were deliberately taken out of context to frame him under India’s draconian National Security Act (NSA), following the Leh firing incident in which four civilians were killed.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Wangchuk, who completed one month in detention at Jodhpur Central Jail on Monday, appeared before the review board last week and clarified that his words and ideas had been misinterpreted and mistranslated to portray him as an instigator of unrest. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said in a statement on X that a translator had “wrongly paraphrased” his videos, while random skirmishes between the CRPF, Ladakh Police and individuals were wrongly attributed to him.
Calling the entire episode a “travesty of justice” and a “mockery of Indian democracy,” Gitanjali said Wangchuk remains calm and hopeful, quoting him as saying, “Insaaf ke ghar der hai, par andher nahi” (justice may be delayed, but it is never denied). She added that he continues to express gratitude to those showing solidarity with him across the world.
Wangchuk was detained under the NSA on September 26, two days after the fatal firing by Indian forces in Leh. The Leh administration later formed a three-member advisory board—headed by Justice (retd) M.K. Hanjura—to review the legality of his detention.
Meanwhile, political leaders and activists in Ladakh have condemned the continued incarceration of Wangchuk. Sajjad Kargili of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said the “draconian” detention had deepened mistrust and damaged the democratic spirit of the region. He demanded Wangchuk’s immediate release and the restoration of democratic rights in Ladakh.
