Congress, PDP Condemn Arrest of Sonam Wangchuk

SRINAGAR: Political criticism intensified on Friday over the arrest of Ladakh-based environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, with Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders calling the move unnecessary and counterproductive to peace in the region.

Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, speaking in South Kashmir’s Kulgam, said Wangchuk’s detention would only deepen tensions rather than resolve them. He urged the government to engage with Ladakhis, whom he described as “peace-loving,” instead of resorting to punitive measures. “The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk was unnecessary and sends a negative message. The government should engage with the people of Ladakh instead of detaining their representatives,” Mir said.

Mir also rejected allegations that Congress workers were involved in the recent violence in Leh that left four civilians dead and dozens injured. He said accusations against a local Congress councillor were baseless and demanded a judicial inquiry. “No Congress worker has played any role in the violence. One of our councillors has been wrongly accused. We demand a judicial inquiry so the truth is not distorted,” he added.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti, in a post on X, described Wangchuk’s detention as “a blow to peaceful struggle” and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of seeking to disempower regions that demand constitutional safeguards. She said the arrest of a globally recognised figure in education and environmental conservation undermines peaceful activism.

“Sonam Wangchuk, once a darling of the Indian government, hailed as a nationalist, has been arrested for waging a peaceful fight for the people of Ladakh. Really wish Ladakhis had realised BJP’s plans to disempower wouldn’t stop with Kashmir,” Iltija wrote.

Her remarks echoed broader criticism that the government had failed to anticipate unrest in Ladakh following the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019. Both Mir and Iltija stressed that only dialogue could address the region’s demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards.

The Union Home Ministry has alleged that Wangchuk’s “provocative speeches” contributed to violent protests, but his supporters dismissed the claim as an attempt to scapegoat him. His arrest has triggered widespread concern across political circles in Jammu and Kashmir, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier calling it “unfortunate” and evidence of the Centre backtracking on its promises to Ladakh before the Hill Council elections.