The Human Rights Forum (HRF) strongly condemns the arrest and detention of eminent environmentalist, educationist, and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). This action is a blatant misuse of the law and an assault on democratic rights.
Mr. Wangchuk was on a peaceful fast demanding (i) the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, to provide constitutional safeguards for its tribal population similar to those extended to the North-Eastern states, and (ii) the declaration of Ladakh as a full-fledged state of India. These are legitimate democratic demands and in no way constitute a threat to national security.
Instead of addressing these concerns, the government has sought to criminalize peaceful protest. The incidents of violence that occurred during the campaign are being unjustly attributed to Mr. Wangchuk, while no proper inquiry has been initiated into the failure of the security forces to prevent the disturbances. By filing cases against him, the authorities are attempting to shift blame and suppress dissent.
Equally disturbing is the sudden initiation of inquiries into the finances of Mr. Wangchuk’s NGO. This appears to be a calculated attempt to malign his reputation and silence him, reminiscent of the treatment
meted out to other human rights defenders. Rather than ensuring accountability and dialogue, the government is resorting to punitive measures against voices of conscience.
HRF firmly believes that the inability of the state to accommodate peaceful dissent is deeply counterproductive to democracy and nation-building. The use of undemocratic laws such as the NSA against a respected public figure like Sonam Wangchuk marks a dangerous escalation of repression and signals the decline of democratic values in our country.
We categorically reject the baseless allegations leveled against Shri Sonam Wangchuk and demand his immediate and unconditional release.
Regards,
M.Suresh Babu,
President – HRF Hyd Unit
Venkat Narayana,
Vice President – HRF Hyd Unit
Sanjeev,
General Secretary – HRF Hyd unit.
01-10-2025,
Hyderabad.