Sonam Wangchuk Arrest in Ladakh Sparks Political Uproar Over Statehood Protests
New Delhi: Opposition parties on September 26 condemned the arrest of climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk today, accusing the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of “descending into dictatorship” and following “witch-hunting agenda” through the use of draconian laws.
Wangchuk was arrested this afternoon, two days after the Union home ministry sought to blame him for protests in Leh that led to the deaths of four civilians in alleged firing by the security forces.
‘Arrogance is very bad’
In a statement the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that by arresting Wangchuk for “raising his voice for the rights and entitlements of Ladakh, the Modi government has made it clear that it has fully descended into dictatorship.”
“The Aam Aadmi Party opposes this step by the Modi government. We stand with the people of Ladakh in this fight.”
Former Delhi chief minister and the party’s nation convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that “dictatorship is at its peak.”
“Today in our country, dictatorship is at its peak. The end of those who practice dictatorship and arrogance is very bad,” he said.
Wangchuk’s arrest comes a day after the home ministry cancelled the FCRA licence of the activist’s organisation Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. Earlier, the Union government had cancelled a 40-year land lease allotted to Wangchuk’s Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, in Leh, citing failure to execute a formal lease agreement and lack of progress on the project.
After the protests on September 24, the MHA had said that the “mob was incited” by Wangchuk’s “provocative statements”.
‘Witch-hunting agenda’
The CPI(ML) issued a strong condemnation and said that the arrest “clearly exposes the government’s witch-hunting agenda and its attempt to shift blame for a crisis born of the government’s own betrayal of people’s democratic aspirations and trampling of the Constitution.”
“The repression in Ladakh makes it plain that the arbitrary abrogation of Article 370 by Modi-BJP government was a nefarious ploy to subjugate the people, tighten authoritarian control, and hand over Ladakh’s resources to corporates. Instead of addressing people’s legitimate demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule status, employment, and protection of land and environment, the regime has resorted to false charges and scapegoating Wangchuk for the September 24 protests, which saw at least four people killed in police firing,” the party said.
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose in a statement said that in arresting the Ramon Magsaysay award winner, the government has showed that all it can do is treat dissent as anti-national.
“Whether in sensitive places like Kashmir or Manipur or Ladakh the Modi government has no policy, No reach out, no reconciliation, no trust building. All that the incompetent Modi regime can do is treat any dissent as “anti national,” and arrest under draconian laws. Shameful,” she said.
Wangchuk and other activists had been fasting since September 10. After the violence on September 24, Wangchuk called off his fast.
‘Made promises’
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah called his arrest unfortunate and questioned why the Centre went back on its promises to Ladakh.
“It is unfortunate. Given the way the central government has been after them since yesterday, it seemed like something like this might happen. They were made promises, just like we were. Now I don’t understand what compels the central government to go back on their promises,” he said to reporters.
Congress’ former Jammu and Kashmir unit president Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that despite Wangchuk issuing a warning that his arrest could worsen the situation in Ladakh, he was arrested.
“The NDA government had granted Sonam Wangchuk permission for foreign funding through the Union Home Ministry. Yet, despite Wangchuk himself appealing and warning that his arrest could worsen the situation in Ladakh, they went ahead. He has always stated that he does not support violence and has presented his demands peacefully,” he said.
A day ago, the CPI(M) also issued a statement condemning the repression of the protests in Ladakh and accused the Modi government of ignoring the demands of the people in the union territory.
“Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, the central government chose to respond with forceful arrests of the hunger strikers, which only led to widespread protests and unrest among the people. Even after creating the circumstances which are responsible for this violence in a traditionally peaceful place, the Central Government is now blaming the agitators,” the statement said.
Also Read: James Comey Indicted: Ex-FBI Director Faces Charges Over False Testimony
