“The Modi Government cannot brush these issues away or suppress them by arresting Sonam Wangchuk,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Congress on Friday (September 26, 2025) condemned the detention of Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk and demanded a judicial probe into the killing of four youth during an agitation for Statehood in Ladakh that turned violent.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the detention of Mr. Wangchuk, a “noted environmentalist and educationist”, under the National Security Act, was 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 of Ladakh.” He added, “The crux of the issue is that the BJP has deceived the people of Ladakh for years. It promised the region Sixth Schedule status in the 2020 Leh Hill Council Elections and has gone back on that promise with a vengeance.”
“It claimed that it gave Ladakh autonomy from the larger Jammu and Kashmir but has really ended all semblance of democracy in the Union Territory. The Modi Government cannot brush these issues away or suppress them by arresting Mr. Wangchuk. It needs to engage with the people of Ladakh in sincerity and with alacrity,” the Congress communications chief added.
‘Probe police firing’
In another post, Mr. Ramesh said that Nawang Rigzin Jora, president of Congress unit in Ladakh, has written to the Lt. Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta, demanding a judicial enquiry into the killings of four young men in the protests on Wednesday (September 24, 2025).
Protests for Statehood had turned violent in Leh town on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and 90 others injured. About 50 people have been detained in connection with the violence that erupted during the shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to demand an extension of the Sixth Schedule, and Statehood for Ladakh.
“I am approaching you with a heavy heart and deep sorrow to demand a judicial enquiry into the unfortunate incident on September 24 leading to the death of four young men and injuries to others in police firing,” Mr. Jora, a former Minister, said in a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor.
Blame game
“While we condemn the violence resorted to by the protesters, we also condemn the harsh and repressive measures, including firing on the protesters, that was carried out. We strongly feel that the situation could have been handled with little more restraint, patience and maturity,” the Congress leader added.
He also denied the government’s allegation that the Congress had helped incite the violence. “There is a lot of blame game going around. Some of these are targeting the Congress councillor for leading the mob on the basis of a purported photograph. Nothing can be further from the truth. We challenge the administration on this count,” Mr. Jora said.
Published – September 26, 2025 11:38 pm IST
