Sonam Wangchuk's wife denies Centre's charges, calls it 'witch hunt'
What's the story
Gitanjali J Angmo, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has rejected all charges against her husband. The Centre had accused Wangchuk of inciting violence during a hunger strike for Ladakh's statehood and Sixth Schedule provisions. The unrest resulted in four deaths and over 50 injuries. Speaking to NDTV, Angmo alleged that harassment and a "witch hunt" began four years ago when Wangchuk started advocating for a legislature in the Union Territory and Sixth Schedule provisions.
Allegations detailed
'IB threatened us'
Angmo claimed that the Intelligence Bureau threatened them over not approving a license for foreign funds for their non-profit, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL). Their other non-profit, Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), lost its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration last week due to alleged violations. Angmo said trouble started when Ladakhis' hopes for a legislature remained unfulfilled, despite supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Criticism voiced
Angmo slams MHA for alleging Pakistani links
Angmo slammed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for alleging that Wangchuk has Pakistani links. She defended her husband's visit to Pakistan for a climate change conference, saying it was UN-sponsored and not politically motivated. "It was a conference that was held at the behest of the United Nations... which works with all in the Himalayan region because climate change and glaciers are not going to look at your boundaries to cause a flood in Pakistan or India," she said.
Violence allegations
Wangchuk condemned violence, ended fast to prevent escalation
Angmo also dismissed the MHA's claims that her husband's speech incited violence. She said Wangchuk condemned the violence and ended his fast to prevent further escalation. "If he were inciting, then he could have done more, right? But he stopped his fast because he didn't want this to escalate," she added. The MHA claimed Wangchuk broke his fast and left for his village without trying to control the situation amid the violence.
Registration criticism
MHA said mobs were incited by Wangchuk through statements
Angmo also criticized the government for canceling SECMOL's FCRA registration. She said they applied for HIAL's license two to three years ago, but it was rejected after Wangchuk's protests. "When Sonam went on fast for the first time, the Intelligence Bureau used to visit us every day," she said. Angmo stated that she has not heard from any of the officers who took her husband away on Friday. Wangchuk faces charges under the severe National Security Act.