Gitanjali Angmo, wife of education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk, has refuted allegations portraying her husband as anti-national, calling them "blatant lies" and part of a "witch-hunt". Wangchuk, who has been at the forefront of movements seeking statehood for Ladakh and the extension of the Sixth Schedule, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Leh. The NSA allows detention without trial for up to a year.
Angmo has strongly defended her husband, dismissing claims of anti-national behavior and highlighting his contributions to the nation, particularly his work building thermal shelters for the Indian army. She questioned how someone who commands respect from military officials and builds solar homes for soldiers could be labeled anti-national.
Wangchuk's detention followed violent protests in Leh on September 24, 2025, which resulted in fatalities and injuries. Authorities have accused him of instigating the violence. However, Angmo maintains her husband's innocence, stating that he advocates for Gandhian methods of protest and was at the site of a hunger strike when the violence occurred, unaware of the events unfolding. She has blamed the Union Territory administration for the recent violence.
The Ladakh administration, however, has dismissed allegations of victimisation, asserting that actions against Wangchuk are based on credible inputs and documents. They have accused him of making provocative remarks and inciting youth, pointing to a video where he allegedly spoke of an "Arab Spring"-style revolution and suggested self-immolation as a form of protest. The administration also stated that Wangchuk failed to pacify the crowd during the hunger strike and left the venue discreetly when tensions escalated.
Angmo has addressed the controversy surrounding Wangchuk's visit to Pakistan in February for a climate conference organized by the UN and Dawn Media. She defended his participation, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change in the Hindukush Himalayas, which impacts eight countries. She questioned whether attending such a conference makes him an ISI agent and highlighted that he had appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE from the stage in Pakistan.
Furthermore, Angmo has refuted allegations of financial irregularities against Wangchuk and his institutes, the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). She stated that all financial and legal documents have been provided to investigating agencies, including the CBI and Income Tax Department. The Ladakh administration has accused HIAL of issuing unauthorized degrees and failing to disclose foreign funds. Angmo is also the co-founder of HIAL, whose land registration was reportedly canceled last month.
Wangchuk is currently lodged in Jodhpur prison under the NSA. His detention has sparked outrage and protests, with civil society groups and activists demanding his release. The opposition, led by the Congress, has described Wangchuk's activism as peaceful and Gandhian. His detention has been criticized as unwise and a betrayal of statesmanship.
