Published: 13 March 2026Al JazeeraGeneral
Centre Releases Sonam Wangchuk from NSA Detention After Six Months in Jodhpur Jail
The Government of India revoked the National Security Act (NSA) detention of prominent Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk on March 14, 2026, freeing him after nearly six months in Jodhpur jail. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated it had decided to end the detention 'with immediate effect' after 'due consideration'.
Wangchuk, 59, an environmentalist and education reformer who inspired the film '3 Idiots', was arrested in September 2025 during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh or constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule for tribal communities. Four people died in the protests. Wangchuk's supporters eagerly awaited his return to Leh, planned for March 22.
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Answer (50 words):
On March 14, 2026 the Government of India revoked the National Security Act detention of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk after nearly six months in Jodhpur jail. Wangchuk, 59, an environmentalist who inspired the film '3 Idiots', had been arrested in September 2025 during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and Sixth Schedule protections.
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Linked questionMedium
Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for demanding which of the following for Ladakh?
Explanation · Correct answer BSonam Wangchuk was detained for demanding either full statehood for Ladakh or constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule for tribal communities. He was released on March 14, 2026, after nearly six months in Jodhpur jail. The NSA allows detention for up to 12 months without charges.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Sonam Wangchuk released from NSA detention from Jodhpur jail in March 2026?
The **Ministry of Home Affairs** revoked the **National Security Act (NSA)** detention of **Sonam Wangchuk** on **March 14, 2026**, ordering his immediate release from **Jodhpur jail** after nearly **6 months**. Wangchuk was detained in **September 2025** following Ladakh protests demanding **statehood or Sixth Schedule protection**.
What is the National Security Act (NSA) and why was it applied to Sonam Wangchuk?
The **National Security Act (NSA)** allows preventive detention without trial for up to 12 months for national security reasons. **Sonam Wangchuk**, 59, was detained under NSA in **September 2025** after Ladakh protests demanding **statehood or Sixth Schedule status** for tribal communities. NSA was revoked on **March 14, 2026**.
What did Sonam Wangchuk protest about in Ladakh before his NSA detention?
**Sonam Wangchuk** led protests in **Ladakh** demanding **statehood or Sixth Schedule protections** for tribal communities. He was arrested in **September 2025** following protests in which **four people were killed**, and held under the **NSA** in **Jodhpur jail** for nearly **6 months** until March 14, 2026.
What is the Sixth Schedule and why did Ladakh activists like Sonam Wangchuk demand it?
The **Sixth Schedule** of the Indian Constitution provides autonomous district councils for tribal areas, protecting indigenous communities' land and cultural rights. **Sonam Wangchuk** and Ladakh activists demanded either **statehood or Sixth Schedule** status to protect Ladakh's tribal identity after it became a Union Territory in 2019.
How long was Sonam Wangchuk in Jodhpur jail before his NSA detention was revoked?
**Sonam Wangchuk**, 59, was held in **Jodhpur jail** for nearly **6 months** — from **September 2025** to **March 14, 2026** — when the **Ministry of Home Affairs** revoked his **NSA (National Security Act)** detention and ordered his immediate release.
