Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was given a rousing reception on his return to Leh on Sunday after being released from the Jodhpur Central Jail following the revocation of his detention under the National Security Act. He was accompanied by his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo.
He was welcomed by members of the Leh Apex Body and a large number of supporters.
People lined up outside the airport to greet Wangchuk, who remained in prison for nearly six months on charges of anti-national activities. Wangchuk led a hunger strike demanding Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh and three other demands when he was arrested under the NSA on 26 September last year following violent protests in which four people were killed.
He was recently released after the government revoked his detention under the National Security Act.
Addressing a large rally, Wangchuk said, “I am feeling very good. After 170 days, coming back to these mountains and meeting people, I hope a new sun will rise for the cause for which we are working. We are moving forward with hope. We hope there will be such an atmosphere from all sides, and I would like to thank people of the entire country who supported us in this struggle.”
“People in Delhi and Jodhpur treated my wife with kindness without fearing the government, despite it accusing me of indulging in anti-national activities,” he added.
Wangchuk said that the Centre has extended its hand to build trust for a meaningful dialogue with the people of Ladakh, and underlined the need for a “win-win” approach rather than a “win-lose” situation.
He stressed the need for constructive and flexible dialogue on Ladakh’s demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
He announced his intention to hold consultations with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to plan further steps for their movement.
He said the Centre has offered a constructive and meaningful dialogue. “This is what we have wanted, and we had to struggle so much, walk to Delhi and sit on a hunger strike. All movements in Ladakh are aimed at starting the dialogue process,” he said.
The LAB and KDA have remained engaged in talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs over their key demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule status, issues that have simmered since the region was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory in 2019.