Indian opposition slams Modi govt over Wangchuk’s prolonged detention
Questions misuse of NSA after Ladakhi activist’s release, demands apology
New Delhi: India’s opposition parties have strongly criticised the BJP-led Indian government over the prolonged detention of Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, questioning the use of stringent law against him and demanding accountability following the revocation of his detention.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Modi government on Saturday revoked the detention of Sonam Wangchuk, releasing him six months after his arrest in September last year following massive protests in Leh that left four people dead and dozens injured in indiscriminate firing by Indian forces. A prominent face of Ladakh’s movement for political rights, Wangchuk was later booked under the draconian National Security Act (NSA) and lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
New Delhi had accused him of inciting people and provoking protests. His detention was revoked three days before the Indian Supreme Court was set to resume hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that that the Narendra Modi government now stood exposed, adding the time spent in jail by the climate activist is a loss to the country. “The Modi government stands exposed once again. A scientist and climate activist who had dedicated his life to the nation was arrested without any evidence. The months he spent in jail were not only a personal loss for him but also a loss to the country. This sheer dictatorship must be called out and stopped immediately,” he said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said BJP first offered Statehood to Ladakh and then backtracked. “He [Wangchuk] should not have been jailed at all. The BJP should have supported his protest, but they betrayed him,” Yadav said.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Modi government should apologise to the people of Ladakh for the completely bogus arrest of Wangchuk. “The Congress had condemned the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk on completely bogus grounds six months back. Now the Modi government has done a total U-turn. It stands fully exposed. It should apologise to not only Wangchuk and his family but to the people of Ladakh as well. It should also immediately release all those who were detained for staging peaceful and democratic protests,” Ramesh posted on X.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot questioned the “convenient use” of laws such as the NSA. “The same individual, who just a few months ago was branded a threat to national security and thrown behind bars, is now suddenly being released—meaning no evidence was found against him. In such a case, who will account for the 170 days of his detention? …Will the definition of national security now be dictated by the BJP’s political gains and losses?”
