New Delhi/Leh, Mar 18: Terming his release as a “win-win-win for all stakeholders,” climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday said the Centre’s decision to revoke his detention under the National Security Act marks not merely personal relief but a broader opportunity for Ladakh and the Union government to reset engagement.
“It is a win for me, a win for Ladakh, and in a way, a win for the Centre as well,” Wangchuk said in his first public remarks after walking out of Jodhpur Central Jail following nearly six months in detention. He expressed hope that the development would lead to “something good” for Ladakh through renewed dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital alongside his wife and HIAL co-founder Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk maintained that the movement in Ladakh has consistently sought constructive engagement rather than confrontation. He described the government’s move as “an extending of hand to build trust and facilitate meaningful, constructive dialogue.”
“We were confident of success in court, but that alone would not have been enough. What we wanted was a win-win outcome,” he said, underlining that dialogue is a process of “give and take” requiring flexibility from both sides.
Reiterating the core objective of the agitation, he said all protests in Ladakh have been aimed at initiating dialogue. “They have offered a constructive dialogue. This is what we have wanted, and we had to struggle, walk to Delhi, and sit on ‘anshan’ to press for it,” he said.
Striking a reflective note, Wangchuk pointed to the unusual nature of the movement. “Usually, people pick up guns and the government appeals for dialogue. Here, people are urging the government to start a dialogue,” he observed, adding that the present moment should translate into effective and outcome-oriented talks.
He also voiced hope that the Supreme Court of India would adjudicate on the habeas corpus petition filed during his detention, saying such a ruling could help set a precedent.
At the same time, Wangchuk raised concerns over the handling of protests in Ladakh, alleging that several arrests during the agitation were unwarranted. He cited instances where even individuals engaged in humanitarian activities were detained and booked.
“There are questions among people about how the violence started and escalated. These concerns must be examined. If needed, both sides can step back — people can reconsider their doubts and the government can review the cases filed,” he said.
On his next course of action, Wangchuk said he would travel to Ladakh to consult with leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have been spearheading the agitation over the past five years.
He clarified that decisions on future steps would rest with Ladakhi leadership. “It should not be a lose-lose situation. A successful dialogue is one where both sides accommodate each other,” he said.
On the possibility of returning to protest methods such as hunger strikes, Wangchuk reiterated that such steps were taken out of compulsion. “I have always said I do not want to sit on hunger strike; I am forced to do it. Now that the government is extending its hand, we hope a good example is set,” he said.
He identified the core demands as safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, statehood for Ladakh, and restoration of democratic mechanisms. Acknowledging the complexity of the issues, he said progress — even if partial — would be meaningful. “If not on all, then at least on one issue. That is how give-and-take works in the interest of nation-building,” he added.
Reflecting on his time in detention, Wangchuk said he spent much of it in meditation and expressed appreciation for the conduct of jail authorities, noting that despite confinement, he experienced a sense of warmth during his stay in Jodhpur.
Wangchuk, 59, was detained on September 26 last year under the stringent NSA, two days after protests in Ladakh turned violent, leaving four people dead. He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday after the Union government revoked his detention with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the LAB and KDA remain engaged with the Ministry of Home Affairs over their longstanding demands, which have persisted since Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory following the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
The two bodies recently held rallies and a shutdown to press for the next round of talks, as assured during the high-powered committee meeting chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on February 4. During that meeting, they had also demanded the release of Wangchuk and other detainees.
With Wangchuk now advocating a cooperative path forward, attention turns to whether this development will translate into sustained engagement between the Centre and Ladakhi leadership, and whether the dialogue process can yield tangible outcomes for the region.
