“Sonam Wangchuk Requests Thermometer for Experiments to Improve Jail, Says Wife”

Sonam Wangchuk Requests Thermometer to Study Eco-Architecture in Jail, Says Wife

Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk has asked for a thermometer while lodged in Jodhpur jail, saying he wants to conduct simple experiments on eco-responsive architecture to improve living conditions inside the prison, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo, co-founder of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), said on Wednesday.

Angmo, in a post on X, said she met Wangchuk on Tuesday and handed over books he had requested, including “Ants: Workers of the World” by Eleanor Spicer Rice and Eduard Florin Niga, gifted by his eldest brother, as well as books on climate change and solutions.

Wangchuk, a Magsaysay Award winner, has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA) since September 26, following protests in Ladakh over statehood and Sixth Schedule status that turned violent, leaving four dead and around 90 injured. He has spent more than 110 days in solitary confinement.

“He asked me to check with jail authorities and the Supreme Court if he can have basic scientific instruments like thermometers to conduct experiments on eco-responsive architecture to make the jail barracks better,” Angmo said.

She added that Wangchuk spends time observing ants in his jail barrack, fascinated by their teamwork and cooperation, and requests books to study their behaviour.

Angmo called for his release, saying, “Release Sonam Wangchuk now so that he can continue his nation-building work in education and environment.”

She has also filed a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention, which is scheduled to be heard on January 29.