Opposition slams Wangchuk arrest, calls it BJP’s ‘abysmal failure’

TMC Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Sagarika Ghose alleged that the Narendra Modi government treats any dissent as “anti-national” and arrests the dissenters under draconian laws.

By: Express News Service

New Delhi | Updated: September 27, 2025 04:22 AM IST

3 min read

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Security personnel stand guard during a curfew in Leh, Ladakh on Friday. PTI

THE OPPOSITION on Friday attacked the BJP-led Centre over the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under NSA, calling it the BJP’s “abysmal failure” to maintain law and order in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of deceiving the people of Ladakh. “…This (Wangchuk’s arrest) has been done to divert attention and responsibility from the BJP’s abysmal failure to maintain law and order and ensure security of life and property in the Union Territory… The crux of the issue is that the BJP has deceived the people of Ladakh for years,” Ramesh said. “It (BJP) promised the region Sixth Schedule status in the 2020 Leh Hill Council Elections and has gone back on that promise with a vengeance… The Modi Government cannot brush these issues away by arresting Mr. Wangchuk.”

TMC Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Sagarika Ghose alleged that the Narendra Modi government treats any dissent as “anti-national” and arrests the dissenters under draconian laws.

Also Read | In detaining Sonam Wangchuk, government has forgotten the lessons of history

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Wangchuk’s arrest was unfortunate, and accused the NDA government of backtracking on its promises. “Promises were made with the people there… I don’t understand what compulsion does the Central government have to backtrack after making promises,” Abdullah told reporters.

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti termed the arrest “deeply disturbing”. “Today, Leh is under curfew with internet shut down, a grim echo of what Kashmir has long endured. In today’s India, speaking truth to power comes at a heavy cost or how else could a man who stood for peace and non-violence his entire life end up behind bars,” she said.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal said in a post in Hindi on X: “Ravana’s end also came. Kansa’s end also came. Hitler and Mussolini’s end also came. And today, people hate all of them. Today, in our country, dictatorship is at its peak. The end of those who practice dictatorship and arrogance is very bad.”

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya were among the Left party leaders who condemned the arrest.

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