'Ready To Stay Behind Bars Till...': What Sonam Wangchuk Said From Jodhpur Jail

Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, conveyed a message to the people of Ladakh and the nation through his elder brother Ka Tsetan Dorjey Ley and advocate Mustafa Haji, who met him on October 4. Wangchuk assured supporters that he is doing well "both physically and mentally," and expressed gratitude for their concern and prayers. Extending condolences, he said his thoughts were with the families of those who lost their lives, as well as those injured and arrested during recent unrest.Calling for "an independent judicial inquiry into the killing of four people" in Leh, Wangchuk declared he is "prepared to stay in jail" until such an investigation is ordered. He also reaffirmed his support for the Apex

Body, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), and the people of Ladakh in their demand for Sixth Schedule status and statehood.His statement was shared by Sajjad Kargili, leader of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on social media platform X, who said that Wangchuk had conveyed the following message to the people of Ladakh and India:1. I am doing well, both physically and mentally and thank everyone for their concern and prayers. 2. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those people who lost their lives and my prayers with people who are injured and are arrested. 3. There should be an independent Judicial Inquiry into the killing of our four people and unless that is done I am prepared to stay in Jail. 4. I stand firmly with Apex Body and the KDA and the people of Ladakh in our genuine constitutional demand for Sixth Schedule and Statehood and whatever actions Apex Body takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them , wholeheartedly. 5. I appeal people to keep peace and unity and continue with our struggle peacefully- in the true Gandhian way of non-violence.Also Read: 'Voice Of Ladakh Tribals': Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Appeals To President Murmu's Roots, Seeks His Release

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 in Leh. The unrest left four people dead and nearly 90 injured. Wangchuk was moved out of Ladakh and is currently lodged in a prison in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.In a statement, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Ladakh, said Wangchuk's detention was necessary to restore normalcy in the "peace-loving" region."On September 26, Wangchuk of Uley Tokpo village of Leh was detained under NSA. Time and again it has been observed that Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community," the statement said.Wangchuk's series of speeches and videos, including references to the Nepal agitation and the Arab Spring, misled people and triggered the September 24 violence, it said.