Wangchuk Questions Ladakh LG’s Public Remarks After ‘Cordially’ Held Meeting | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday expressed surprise over remarks made by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena following a recent meeting between the two, saying the interaction had taken place in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.

The clarification came two days after Saxena posted on X that he had cautioned Wangchuk against “misleading and provocative narratives” and claimed the activist had admitted uncertainty about the origins of the so-called “Cockroach Janta Party”.

In a video message shared on social media, Wangchuk said he was taken aback after seeing the L-G’s post being circulated widely in the media.

“How would you feel when someone calls you home, offers tea, asks about your work and discusses collaborations, and after you leave, you learn the host has posted online that he issued you a warning?” Wangchuk said.

According to Wangchuk, the meeting focused largely on developmental issues in Ladakh and possible collaborations. He said the L-G also raised concerns over his recent remarks supporting the “Cockroach Janta Party”, which has reportedly become associated with youth demands for examination reforms and accountability in the education sector.

Wangchuk said he told the L-G that such expressions reflected concerns among the country’s youth and should be heard rather than dismissed.

“He said the Cockroach Janta Party is a foreign conspiracy against India and is being run by Pakistan, the US and others. I smiled as he said this to someone who had earlier been detained after making similar claims,” Wangchuk said.

The activist maintained that the discussion had ended positively and that the L-G had even invited him to attend an event the following day.

Questioning the public tone of the subsequent social media post, Wangchuk said trust-building and confidence-building measures were essential if the administration wanted to maintain constructive engagement with civil society.

He also said he remained open to reconsidering his support for the group if evidence emerged that it was being operated by foreign actors, but added that such claims should be substantiated.