Members of the Karnataka Rajya Dalit Sangharsh Samiti have strongly condemned the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). They assert that the BJP-led Central government is deliberately trying to discredit Mr. Wangchuk’s movement and falsely blaming him for recent unrest and violence in Ladakh.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Samiti State convener Arjun Bhadre declared that Mr. Wangchuk’s detention represents a direct assault on democratic principles. He accused the Central government of misusing the NSA to silence Ladakh residents who are advocating for their fundamental constitutional protections, economic security, and the preservation of their environment.
Mr. Bhadre highlighted the key demands put forth by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which include separate statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, the establishment of a public service commission, and increased parliamentary representation for the region.
“The acts of setting an office ablaze and tearing down a party flag [BJP] during a protest, which led to charges of property damage, cannot reasonably be classified as anti-national,” Mr. Bhadre emphasized. He further expressed his belief that the Modi-led government is specifically targeting Mr. Wangchuk because he is a prominent leader of a movement pushing the Centre to fulfill its long-standing promises to Ladakh.
The Samiti has called for Mr. Wangchuk’s immediate release and urged the government to initiate a high-level judicial investigation into the violence that occurred in Ladakh.