"Done to divert attention, responsibility from BJP's abysmal failure": Congress on reports of arrest of Sonam Wangchuk

New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): Amid the reports of the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Indian National Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP, claiming that this has been done to “divert attention and responsibility” from the BJP’s “abysmal failure” to maintain law and order in Ladakh.

In a social media post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote, “The Indian National Congress condemns the arrest of noted environmentalist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act. This has been done to divert attention and responsibility from the BJP’s abysmal failure to maintain law and order and ensure security of life and property in the Union Territory of Ladakh.”

The Congress further accused the BJP of “deceiving” the people of Ladakh, asking it to engage with the people of Ladakh in sincerity and with alacrity.

The social media post read, “The crux of the issue is that the BJP has deceived the people of Ladakh for years. It promised the region Sixth Schedule status in the 2020 Leh Hill Council Elections and has gone back on that promise with a vengeance. It claimed that it gave Ladakh autonomy from the larger Jammu and Kashmir, but has really ended all semblance of democracy in the Union Territory.”

“The Modi Government cannot brush these issues away or suppress them by arresting Mr. Wangchuk. It needs to engage with the people of Ladakh in sincerity and with alacrity,” it added.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday termed the reports of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest an “unfortunate” step; however, he also said that the move wasn’t unexpected as the Central government was “after him since yesterday.”

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah criticised the Central government for failing to fulfil the promises they had made to the people of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

“He was arrested? 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 renege on promises it makes…” the Chief Minister said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also reacted to reports of police arresting Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, two days after violence broke out during protests in Leh.

Expressing concerns, Kejriwal criticised the Central government’s handling of the situation, calling its actions “oppressive and dictatorial.”

Drawing parallels with mythological and historical figures, he posted on X, “Ravana’s end also came. Kansa’s end also came. Hitler’s and Mussolini’s end also came. And today, people hate all those individuals. Today in our country, dictatorship is at its peak. The end of those who practice dictatorship and arrogance is very bad.”

Former Delhi Minister and AAP leader, Saurabh Bharadwaj, also launched an attack on the ruling BJP over reports of Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest, claiming that the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk shows that the “end of the BJP’s central government is approaching.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir accused the Centre of “mishandling” the situation while denying his party’s role in the September 24 violence in Leh. He demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

A demonstration demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion of the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution had turned violent and targeted the BJP office in Leh on Wednesday, September 24.

Prohibitions under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), 2023, continued to be imposed in Leh on Friday, with a ban on the assembly of five or more persons in the district.

Earlier, Wangchuk had said on Thursday that “he would be happy to be arrested” because it would make people aware of the issue. “After violence, all the blame was put on Sonam Wangchuk. I also got information that a case under the Public Safety Act is being prepared against me, which would allow them to jail me for up to two years without trial or bail… I would be happy to be arrested anytime because it will make people more aware, rather than me being outside the jail. People will see that the man who brought pride to the country is in jail and will understand how the country is governed. Perhaps, this will be the last series of my service to the country,” Wangchuk had told ANI. (ANI)

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