India Revokes Detention of Activist Sonam Wangchuk

The Indian central government has revoked the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, ordering his immediate release from Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday, follows months of legal challenges and comes amid ongoing efforts to address demands for constitutional safeguards in Ladakh.

Wangchuk, an engineer, innovator, and education reformer known for his work on climate change and alternative learning in the Himalayan region, was detained on September 26, 2025, by Ladakh police. The arrest occurred as he traveled to a press conference in Leh, the main town in the union territory, during a period of heightened unrest. Protests had erupted earlier that week, on September 24, demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides protections for tribal areas. The demonstrations turned violent, resulting in four deaths, including a Kargil war veteran, and injuries to around 90 people, according to authorities.

Officials invoked the National Security Act, a law allowing preventive detention for up to 12 months to maintain public...