Sonam Wangchuk’s detention: Giving a major relief to Sonam Wangchuk, the Centre has revoked the detention of the climate activist and education reformer with immediate effect under the National Security Act. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a statement pertaining to the matter, bringing an end to his preventive detention.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk?
A Ladakh-based engineer and education reformer, Sonam Wangchuk known for his eco-friendly innovations. Born near Alchi in Leh district, Wangchuk hogged the limelight in 2009 with Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots. The film, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, is inspired by his life story.
Wangchuk designed the SECMOL campus, which operates solely on solar power without using fossil fuels for cooking, heating and lighting.
He studied in Srinagar in his early days but later moved to Delhi for higher education. He pursued Mechanical Engineering at NIT Srinagar in 1987, and went on to found SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh).
Wangchuk worked with locals and the government through projects like “Operation New Hope,” focused on improving education in the region. He also went for Earthen Architecture at Craterre School of Architecture in Grenoble, France, in 2011.
Over the years, Wangchuk has been involved in various NGOs, edited Ladags Melong magazine, and created sustainable solutions such as the Ice Stupa (an artificial glacier to store water) and solar-powered tents for the Indian Army.
Previously in March 2024, he went on a fast-unto-death to demand constitutional safeguards. He advocates protection from industrial and mining lobbies in Ladakh.
Wangchuk has been held at Jodhpur central jail since September 2025
Wangchuk has been held at the Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan since September 26, 2025, nearly six months after ongoing protests in Ladakh turned violent in the UT’s main city Leh, where four people died and over 160 were injured.
What did the Govt say on Wangchuk’s detention
While revoking the detention of Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk under the NSA, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs cited a need to facilitate dialogue in the region, which has been demanding greater autonomy and climate protections within the Indian Constitution.
The government in a statement claimed that it 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.
However, the prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests has been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists and overall economy, it added.
“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 Shri Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act,” the Home Ministry’s statement said.
“The government reiterates its commitment to providing all necessary safeguards for Ladakh. It remains hopeful that the issues concerning the region will be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the mechanism of the High-Powered Committee as well as other appropriate platforms,” the statement added.
