On September 26, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk as ‘unfortunate’ and criticized the BJP-led NDA government for failing to uphold its promises. Abdullah made these remarks during the inauguration ceremony of the third Junior Asian Pencak Silat championship in Leh.
“The manner in which the Central government pursued Wangchuk since yesterday led many to predict such an outcome,” Abdullah stated, expressing his disapproval of the government’s actions. He emphasized the importance of promises made to the people of Ladakh and questioned the government’s motivations for not following through.
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent advocate for climate change and senior member of the Leh Apex Body, faced arrest amidst heightened tensions following violent protests in Ladakh. These protests have resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 90 others.
While the specific charges against Wangchuk remain unclear, the Union Home Ministry accused him of inciting violence during the ongoing agitation for statehood and Constitutional protections for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.
Abdullah pointed out that just before the Hill Council elections in Leh in 2020, a Union minister’s visit aimed to persuade locals to participate in the elections, which they eventually did in significant numbers. He lamented that despite their participation leading to a BJP victory, the promises made to the people of Ladakh have not been honored.
He remarked, “Promises were made to encourage election participation, yet the reality shows that these assurances have evaporated.” Abdullah further expressed concern about the Central government’s unfulfilled promise regarding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood after assembly elections, questioning the political motives at play.
“Are the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir being denied statehood because they did not elect the BJP?” he asked. Abdullah suggested the government should clarify if statehood would remain elusive until the BJP gains power in J&K.
In response to criticism from Sunil Sharma, the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, accusing Abdullah of justifying violence in Ladakh, Abdullah remarked that the BJP MLA consistently blames others while avoiding accountability for the prevailing situation.
This incident and Abdullah’s comments reflect ongoing tensions in the region and highlight the challenges faced by the local population in terms of governance and representation. The arrest of Wangchuk has further escalated scrutiny of the Central government’s policy approach towards Ladakh.
