Centre revokes detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under NSA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Saturday (March 14, 2026) that it has revoked the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act.

“The Government remains committed to fostering an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust in Ladakh so as to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders. In furtherance of this objective, and after due consideration, the Government has decided to revoke the detention of Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act,” the Ministry said.

Sonam Wangchuk | Ladakh’s engineer of change

The MHA, in a statement said the Union Government has been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region.

Notably, the Centre’s order come after Mr. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, said that he will not pursue the path of agitation after he is released from detention but will continue to be part of the movement to demand constitutional safeguards for Ladakh through discussion and dialogue. She said this during an interview with The Hindu.

Mr. Wangchuk, who is presently detained at the Jodhpur Central jail, conveyed through one of his social media accounts on Thursday (March 12, 2026) that he has not stepped away from activism but it will require “clarity, unity, and sincere dialogue”.

Centre had detained Mr. Wangchuk under the NSA accusing him of inciting violence by referring to protests in Nepal, Bangladesh and had shifted him to Rajasthan. The Centre had also said in the Supreme Court that he can’t be released on bail on health grounds, arguing, “health facade was manufactured and synthetic.” Mr. Wangchuk was “fit, hale and hearty” and was medically examined 24 times in the five months of his confinement, the Centre had argued in the court, during the hearing on February 2026.