 Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 27: District Development Council (DDC) Suchetgarh and Senior Congress Leader Taranjit Singh Tony has issued a blistering statement condemning the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on eminent Ladakhi environmentalist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk, who has reportedly been shifted to Jodhpur Jail on orders of the Central Government.
Calling the arrest “a dark blot on India’s democracy,” Tony said that Wangchuk is a fearless patriot whose only ‘offence’ is to expose the truth about Chinese encroachments in Ladakh and to demand constitutional safeguards for the region’s fragile environment and unique culture.
“Sonam Wangchuk has stood like a rock against Chinese land grabbing. He has always spoken for the nation and for Ladakh’s people. Instead of saluting his courage, the BJP government has chosen to treat him like a criminal. This is nothing less than an attempt to choke the democratic spirit of India,” Tony declared.
Tony launched an all-out attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of running an “arrogant, authoritarian regime that fears the truth and punishes those who dare to question.” He asserted that the BJP’s decision to slap NSA—a law meant to protect national security—on a peaceful activist is “a desperate move to hide its own failures on the border and to muzzle the growing public anger in Ladakh.”
Tony said the BJP’s betrayal of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh is complete, listing a series of broken promises including Restoration of Statehood to Jammu & Kashmir which “Prime Minister Modi himself promised early restoration of statehood. Six years have passed since the abrogation of Article 370, yet there is no timeline, no action—only empty words.”
He further added that “Despite repeated protests and appeals from the Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, the BJP has failed to provide Sixth Schedule protections, leaving Ladakhis vulnerable on land rights, jobs, and cultural identity.”
“The BJP boasted of massive investments and job creation after 2019. What do we see today? Rising unemployment, stalled infrastructure projects, and frustrated youth.”, Tony added.
Congress leader said, “Instead of strengthening Ladakh, the government hides facts about Chinese intrusion and punishes those like Sonam who expose the reality.”
“The BJP has failed Ladakh, failed Jammu & Kashmir, and failed the nation. They have betrayed every commitment—from statehood restoration to safeguarding the fragile ecology of the Himalayas,” Tony thundered.
He also dismissed as baseless BJP’s attempt to implicate Congress in the recent violence in Leh, stating, “The Congress councillor falsely named by the BJP was not even present during the incidents of arson. This is a classic diversionary tactic to cover up their betrayal and the anger of Ladakh’s people.”
Tony demanded the immediate withdrawal of the draconian NSA charges and the unconditional release of Sonam Wangchuk. He appealed to civil society, opposition parties, human rights organisations and every patriotic citizen to stand united against this naked abuse of power, warning that “if they can jail Sonam Wangchuk today, tomorrow they can jail anyone who speaks the truth.” |
