Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday condemned the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, calling it a “grave injustice” and a “mockery of democracy.”
Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) on Friday and lodged in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan, two days after protests demanding statehood for Ladakh turned violent, leaving four dead and 90 injured.
“He was speaking on global warming and public issues. Sending him to Jodhpur jail without cause is an injustice and a joke on democracy,” Choudhary told reporters at a function. He added that authorities should have targeted those responsible for arson instead. “Even a son may not listen to his father today, so how can the people of Ladakh be expected to follow him?” he said.
Choudhary further remarked that freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, and Mahatma Gandhi would be grieving over “gentlemen being jailed on fabricated charges and sent far from their families.”
Meanwhile, J&K Congress working president Raman Bhalla criticized the BJP for its “total failure” in handling the Leh situation and accused the Centre of ignoring Ladakhis’ peaceful demands for the past five years.
“The violence is a direct result of the Centre’s failure to hold meaningful dialogue with the agitators despite promises made by the BJP,” Bhalla said. He called on the BJP to account for its “lies and betrayals,” emphasized Congress’ support for Ladakhis’ legitimate demands, and urged peace and normalcy.
The Congress condemned the killing of four youth in Wednesday’s unrest and demanded a judicial probe. “We appeal to the people of Ladakh to continue pursuing their demands through Gandhian methods,” Bhalla said. He also urged the Centre to honor repeated promises on restoring J&K’s statehood without further delay.
