Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit out at the BJP-led central government over the violent protest that unfolded in Ladakh, leading to the death of four people.Blaming the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, for the violence, Rahul Gandhi said: “Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing 4 young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk”.Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday, two days after the protest demanding statehood and protection under the Sixth Schedule turned violent. “Ladakh’s amazing people, culture, and traditions are under attack by the BJP and RSS. Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing 4 young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk. Stop the killing. Stop the violence. Stop the intimidation. Give Ladakh a voice. Give them the 6th Schedule,” the Congress leader wrote on X. Rahul’s reaction comes a day after ally Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned his silence over the detention of Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).ALSO READ | ‘Pakistan link being probed’: Ladakh DGP explains why Sonam Wangchuk was arrested; details how Leh protests unfoldedEarlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the Centre’s “pathetic handling” of the situation and arrest of Wangchuk.
He demanded immediate restoration of institutions and democracy in Ladakh, and a judicial inquiry into police firing that killed four youths. Wangchuk was taken into custody by the police party led by Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal at 2.30 pm on Friday. He was shifted out of Ladakh and moved to Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Wangchuk was scheduled to address a press conference in Leh at 2:30 pm.On Thursday, Union home ministry cancelled his NGO’s licence under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, over alleged violations.The MHA attributed Wednesday’s mob violence and arson in Ladakh to the “provocative” speeches made by Wangchuk with references to Arab Spring-style protests and the Gen Z outpouring in Nepal.ALSO READ | Ladakh protest: Farooq Abdullah urges Centre to initiate talks; warns of China threat
