India’s food sovereignty movement has strongly condemned the arrest of environmental and local governance activist Sonam Wangchuck, demanding his immediate and unconditional release along with others detained in Ladakh.
In a joint statement endorsed by a wide cross-section of activists, academics, farmers, researchers and citizens, the signatories said it was “a cruel joke” that a person who has been working for food sovereignty, self-reliance and environmental protection is being labelled anti-national. They argued that Wangchuck’s advocacy for sustainable food systems, local governance, and ecological protection aligns directly with the idea of atma nirbharata promoted by the government itself.
The statement recalled Wangchuck’s role in campaigns such as the boycott of Chinese products and expressed concern that his peaceful efforts are now being criminalised. It also drew parallels with the government’s handling of the 2020–21 farmers’ protests, accusing it of failing to engage in meaningful dialogue and instead resorting to repression.
The movement condemned both the violence against political party offices and vehicles on September 24, as well as the police firing on protesters that resulted in deaths. It rejected the government’s attempt to hold Wangchuck responsible for the violence, pointing out that he had been publicly appealing for peace at the time.
“We expect our governments to be responsive and sympathetic to the just demands of citizens, without inordinate and unjustifiable delays,” the statement said, adding that criticising the government should not be equated with being anti-national.
The food sovereignty network demanded the immediate release of Wangchuck and five others charged under the National Security Act, along with 44 others arrested in connection with the September 24 protests. It also called upon the Government of India to resume dialogue with Ladakhi representatives and address their demands for statehood and stronger local governance.
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