Please refer to an editorial titled “Sonam Wangchuk’s Arrest – Turning Friends into Enemies” vide Issue No. 26 of Radiance Viewsweekly dated 11th October 2025.
The editorial has exposed the Central Government’s anti-Ladakhi policies. The protesters in Ladakh were responded to inhumanly by security forces. Many people were killed and injured seriously. Even innocent citizens passing by were also hit with bullets. Wangchuk’s certain statements were taken out of context and his NGO – SECMOL’s FCRA licence was cancelled. He is put behind bars for his activities which, prima facie, do not jeopardise national integrity and spoil the friendly relations with other countries.
Mr. Wangchuk is Remon Magsaysay award winner, an environmentalist and staunch democracy activist. All his actions are well within the constitutional rights accorded to each citizen of this country.
Mr. Wangchuk’s arrest is a warning to the persons who do not toe the line of ruling dispensation. If you challenge or speak against it, your destination is certain (i.e. Jail). Either you keep silent or the government will make you silent by using its powers. Choice is yours.
Let me quote the Kargil Hero (TsewangJharchin, 46)’s father (Stanzin Namgyal, 74) who has also served in the Kargil war, “Those who shot my son are worse than the Chinese. The Chinese did not fire but used batons and rods to kill them (in Galwan) but in (Leh) they (security forces) used bullets.”
Hats off to you, respected Editor-in-Chief Saheb, for speaking up for Mr. Sonam Wangchuk without any fear.
Hope for Mr. Wangchuk’s release at the earliest.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Cough Syrup Deaths
It is a matter of shocking and grave concern that cough syrup has caused deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra recently. In the aftermath of deaths of children linked to “toxic” cough syrup, the Union Health Ministry has directed state governments to ensure strict compliance with the revised Schedule M, a set of updated Good Manufacturing Practices for pharmaceutical manufacturers in India, by all drug manufacturers.
Meanwhile, two more children died of kidney failure, suspected to be induced by consumption of Coldrif Syrup in the last 72 hours, taking the death toll to 11. Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical, at the level of 48.6 per cent.
All over the country, such lethal medicines should be banned. Government officials must take legal action; impose a nationwide ban on such deadly drugs and bring the criminals to justice.
Chowdhry Nisar Ahmed
Noorullah pet, Ambur (T.N.)
Donald Trump Responsible for Gaza Genocide
The ongoing atrocities in Gaza cannot be divorced from the reckless policies and rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump. By unconditionally backing Israel’s military actions and dismantling diplomatic avenues for peace, Trump created conditions that have directly escalated violence, leading to mass civilian suffering. His administration’s decisions emboldened unchecked aggressions, undermined humanitarian norms, and intensified the humanitarian crisis.
There is no room for ambiguity: the devastation in Gaza is a consequence of Trump’s actions. Accountability must extend beyond borders, and the international community must recognise the clear role of leadership choices in perpetuating this genocide.
Tejaswini Raju
Bengaluru, Karnataka