Sonam Wangchuk gets book on ants, demands a thermometer for experiments inside jail

Sonam Wangchuk

• Sonam Wangchuk requests a thermometer in jail for eco architecture experiments
• Wangchuk receives books on ants and climate change during solitary confinement
• His wife appeals for his release, citing his work in education and environment

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Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has asked for a thermometer inside Jodhpur Central Jail to carry out simple experiments related to eco responsive architecture, his wife and Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh co founder Gitanjali J Angmo said on Wednesday, NDTV reported.

In a post on X, Angmo said she met Wangchuk on Tuesday and was finally able to give him books he had requested, including titles on ants and climate change. Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient, has been in jail for over 110 days and continues to remain in solitary confinement.

"I met Sonam Wangchuk yesterday and finally gave him the book on ants, a gift from his eldest brother, along with books on climate change and its solution that he had requested," she said.

The book on ants was titled Ants: Workers of the World by Eleanor Spicer Rice and Eduard Florin Niga.

Angmo said Wangchuk had also asked her to explore whether the jail authorities and the Supreme Court would allow him access to basic scientific instruments.

"He asked me to check with the jail administration and the Supreme Court of India if he can get instruments like thermometers to conduct simple experiments about eco responsive architecture to make the jail barracks better," she said.

Appealing for his release, Angmo added, "Release Sonam Wangchuk now so that he can continue his nation building work in education and environment."

Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act on September 26, two days after protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh turned violent, leaving four people dead and around 90 injured in the Union territory.

Earlier, Angmo had told PTI that Wangchuk has been closely observing ants inside his jail barrack during solitary confinement.

"If he observes some ants and their behaviour, he asks me to get books on it because the ant community has a lot of solidarity, a lot of team spirit. So, maybe he wants to study that," Angmo told PTI.

Angmo, who co founded HIAL along with Wangchuk, has filed a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention and seeking his immediate release. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on January 29.