**Wangchuk’s Wife Defends Him, Blames Security Forces for Violence**
*By Snehil Singh | September 28, 2025, 05:16 PM*
Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk, has come forward to reject allegations of financial irregularities and purported “Pakistan links” leveled against her husband. She emphasized that Wangchuk’s protests advocating for Ladakh’s rights were peaceful in nature and attributed the escalation of violence on September 24 to the actions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The activist was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) after demonstrations demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh turned violent, resulting in four deaths and around 90 injuries.
**Questioning CRPF’s Actions**
Angmo questioned the CRPF’s decision to open fire on protesters, asking why the force would use such measures against their own people. She strongly defended Wangchuk, stating that he was only aware of peaceful protest plans and was not involved in any acts of violence.
Furthermore, she claimed that some of Wangchuk’s statements in Ladakhi were taken out of context and mistranslated, which contributed to the perception of a provocative speech.
**Clarifying Foreign Visits and Financial Allegations**
Addressing concerns over Wangchuk’s foreign visits, Angmo clarified that these trips were focused on climate issues rather than being anti-national. She pointed out his participation in a United Nations conference on climate change as evidence of his commitment to environmental causes.
Regarding allegations of financial discrepancies involving their institutions, Angmo detailed the funding mechanisms of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), explaining that it receives foreign funding in compliance with regulations. She refuted any wrongdoing, noting that HIAL does not charge fees from students and operates through innovative projects, such as ice stupas.
**Impact on Institutional Functioning**
Angmo also shed light on administrative delays that have affected land allotment and registration for HIAL. She attributed these setbacks not to any fault of the institution but to the UT administration’s lack of appropriate categories for such organizations.
Following the violence on September 24, the Union Home Ministry canceled SECMOL’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license, citing alleged financial irregularities.
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Gitanjali Angmo’s statements aim to clear her husband’s name and call attention to the broader challenges faced by Ladakh’s activists and institutions amid ongoing political tensions.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/he-praised-pm-sonam-wangchuk-s-wife-trashes-pakistan-link-charge/story
