Mumbai

Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday questioned the detention of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk after the Union government revoked the order, saying he should not have been jailed in the first place.

Yadav alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party had betrayed Ladakh after promising full statehood for the region.

“The question is: why was he sent to jail in the first place? He should not have been sent to jail. The BJP, too, should have supported his movement, as the BJP had promised that Ladakh would be granted full statehood status. It was the BJP that betrayed them,” Yadav told reporters.

His remarks came after the Ministry of Home Affairs said the government had revoked Wangchuk’s detention with immediate effect by exercising powers under the National Security Act.

The ministry said the government remains committed to fostering peace, stability and mutual trust in Ladakh to facilitate constructive dialogue with stakeholders.

It said the decision to revoke the detention had been taken after due consideration and in line with the objective of encouraging engagement with community leaders and stakeholders in the region.

The ministry also noted that frequent bandhs and protests had affected various sections of society, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists, as well as the overall economy of the region.

“The government reiterates its commitment to providing all necessary safeguards for Ladakh. It remains hopeful that the issues concerning the region will be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the mechanism of the High-Powered Committee and other appropriate platforms,” the ministry said.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025 under provisions of the National Security Act following an order by the district magistrate of Leh after protests on September 24 that led to a law and order situation in the town.

READ MORE: Quran and Gita help Jasmine Sultana crack Assam civil services exam

Earlier, the Supreme Court of India had fixed March 10 for the final hearing on a plea challenging Wangchuk’s detention under the NSA and questioned whether his speeches and social media posts could be interpreted as provocative and linked to the violence in Leh.