Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, was able to see him at the Jodhpur jail late Tuesday night for the first time since he was detained on September 26. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act two days after four protesters were killed in police firing at Leh. In a post on X, Angmo wrote, “Met Wangchuk today and got the detention order which we will challenge. His spirit is undaunted. His commitment resolute! His resilience intact! He conveys heartfelt thanks to all for their support and solidarity.” Angmo moved a petition in the Supreme Court on October 3, post which the court on Monday issued notice to the Centre and the Ladakh Administration on the petition filed by her. The court will hear the matter again on October 14. Earlier, Angmo had written to the President of India, the PM and the HM seeking Wangchuk’s immediate release. She had stated that Wangchuk has been detained “without cause” and questioned why she is not entitled to speak to her husband over the phone or in person. Angmo serves as the Founder and CEO of Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) and she has stated that “Apart from the illegal detention of my husband, the manner in which the State and its agencies are hounding us and have kept us under surveillance is deplorable. It is violative of the spirit and ethos of the Constitution of India, including Articles 21 and 22, which guarantee every citizen the fundamental right to legal representation.” She had also alleged a “full scale witch hunt” against Wangchuk, stating in her representation that “people of this country are reaching out in solidarity and support, ‘shocked’ by the Government action against a peaceful Gandhian protestor with an impeccable track record of service to the nation.”
