The wife of jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk, Gitanjali Angmo, has dismissed allegations that her husband has links with Pakistan or was involved in financial irregularities, calling claims that he incited violence during the September 24 protests in Leh “misplaced.”

Angmo said Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the five-year-long agitation for Ladakh’s rights, has always protested in the most Gandhian way possible. She attributed the escalation on September 24 to CRPF actions, not her husband.

Why Was Sonam Wangchuk Arrested?

Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on Friday, two days after protests demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh turned violent, leaving four dead and nearly 90 injured. He has been moved out of Ladakh and is currently lodged in a prison in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Angmo said she has not been able to communicate with her husband since his detention and has not received a copy of the detention order, adding that they would pursue legal recourse.

Alleged Pakistan Links

Authorities, citing Wangchuk’s foreign trips, including to Pakistan for a Dawn Media event, are investigating alleged links to Pakistan. Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal referred to these visits as suspicious, especially following the arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who had sent videos of protests across the border.

Angmo rejected the allegations, noting the visits were professional and climate-focused. She highlighted that Wangchuk attended a UN-organised climate change conference in Pakistan and even praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the event.

She added that Wangchuk and his institutions are part of ICIMOD’s Himalayan University Consortium, which brings together eight countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region—including India and Pakistan—for multinational cooperation on climate and mountain development issues.

Peaceful Protest and Security Response

Angmo emphasized Wangchuk’s nonviolent advocacy, saying the Leh Apex Body protest was peaceful until CRPF personnel fired tear gas, prompting stone-pelting by youth. She questioned the security response, asking, “Who gave the CRPF the right to open fire? Why should you open fire on your own people, on your own youth?”

Financial Allegations

Angmo defended Wangchuk’s institutions against financial irregularity charges. She stated that HIAL’s foreign funding was for consulting, not donations, and the institute does not charge fees for its 400 students. Delays in FCRA and UGC approvals were attributed to administrative processes, not wrongdoing.

Following the September 4 violence, the Union Home Ministry cancelled the FCRA license of SECMOL, another organisation founded by Wangchuk, citing alleged financial discrepancies—claims Angmo refuted.