In the high-altitude desert of Ladakh, a quiet but firm voice has emerged, not from a protest stage, but from a heartfelt letter. Gitanjali Angmo, an accomplished educator and the wife of acclaimed innovator Sonam Wangchuk, has written to the highest office in the land, appealing for justice for her husband.Her letter, addressed to India's President Droupadi Murmu, is a powerful plea for the "unconditional release" of Wangchuk, who was recently detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and moved to a jail in Jodhpur. Copies of the letter were also sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.Angmo describes the actions against her husband as a "full-scale witch hunt" that has been quietly unfolding for years but has intensified recently. She believes it's an effort to silence not just Wangchuk, but the critical issues he stands for.A Personal Appeal to the Nation's ConscienceIn a poignant and direct appeal to President Murmu, Gitanjali Angmo drew upon their shared understanding of tribal heritage. She urged the President to see the situation through the lens of Ladakh's people, who are deeply concerned about their future. "Is it a crime to speak about climate change, melting glaciers, educational reforms and grassroot innovation?" she asks in her letter.Angmo argues that raising one's voice peacefully for an ecologically fragile and tribal region cannot be deemed a threat to national security. Her husband, famous for his "ice stupas" and the inspiration behind the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the film "3 Idiots," has been a vocal advocate for Ladakh. His primary demand has been the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a provision that would grant the tribal-majority region greater autonomy over its land, resources, and cultural identity. Wangchuk's method of protest has consistently been peaceful, most notably through "climate fasts" in Ladakh's harsh conditions to draw attention to the melting Himalayan glaciersDeep Concerns Over Well-being and RightsBeyond the legal and political struggle, Angmo's letter reveals a wife's deep anxiety. She writes that she has not been allowed any contact with her husband since his detention and has no information about his condition. She is particularly worried about his health, noting that he needs daily medication, especially since his body was weakened by a 15-day fast in September.Furthermore, she alleges that a climate of fear has been created. Angmo, the co-founder and CEO of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), claims she and her staff have been placed under tight surveillance. She describes being "shocked and devastated" and says that even the media has been prevented from entering their campus to hear their side of the story.In her closing words, Angmo portrays her husband as a man who has dedicated his life to serving the people of Ladakh and standing in solidarity with the Indian Army. Her letter is more than an appeal; it's a call for the nation's leaders to uphold the principles of justice and equity she believes the President represents.
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