Srinagar, Sept 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has strongly criticised the BJP and the central government, alleging that the ongoing agitation in Ladakh is a direct consequence of unfulfilled promises and political betrayal over the past five years. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, JKPCC president Tariq Karra said the current unrest is rooted in the BJP’s own commitments, particularly its pledge to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a promise prominently featured in its election manifesto but never delivered. “This agitation is a result of the false promises made by the BJP and the betrayal by the Centre. Had those commitments been honoured, the situation would not have escalated to this point,” Karra said.
He accused the BJP-led government of attempting to deflect responsibility for the crisis by blaming the Congress instead of introspecting on its own failures. “Instead of engaging with the people of Ladakh and acknowledging their grievances, they are shifting the blame onto us to cover up their mismanagement and unfulfilled promises,” he said. The protests centred on demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh turned violent on September 24, leading to the deaths of four people and injuries to many others. In the aftermath, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has emerged as a prominent voice in the movement, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
The Congress chief expressed his party’s condolences to the families of those killed and injured and made it clear that the Congress does not support the violence or the incidents of arson that occurred. However, he warned that detaining Wangchuk and moving him outside the Union Territory would not quell the agitation. “If the Government of India believes that arresting Wangchuk will bring an end to the protests, they are mistaken,” he said.
Calling the situation “sensitive and nationally significant,” Karra also underscored Ladakh’s strategic importance, bordered as it is by two adversarial nations, Pakistan and China. “China has already encroached upon parts of Ladakh territory, a fact acknowledged by Sonam Wangchuk and even the local MP. Instead of prioritising national security, the government is allowing ego and short-term political interests to dictate policy,” he remarked.
Karra further pointed out the irony that many of those now protesting against the Centre and the local administration were once mobilised by the BJP to celebrate the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He said this demonstrated how the very people used to endorse the government’s decisions are now disillusioned and demanding their rights.
Responding to questions about Congress’s association with Wangchuk, Karra clarified that there is no current link between the activist and the party. He noted that while Wangchuk’s father served as a deputy minister in the J&K government in the 1970s, he was suspended from Congress in 1987 for anti-party activities. “Since then, the family has had no relationship with the Congress. In fact, many of Wangchuk’s siblings are aligned with the BJP, one of his brothers even holds the position of vice president in the party’s Leh unit,” Karra stated.
The Congress reiterated that the government must address the legitimate aspirations of the people of Ladakh through dialogue, sensitivity, and meaningful engagement rather than force or political blame games. The party emphasised that the issue is not merely political but one of constitutional promises, regional security, and people’s faith in democratic governance. “The government must act responsibly, uphold the commitments it made, and engage with Ladakh’s people sincerely. Anything less will deepen the trust deficit and fuel further unrest,” Karra concluded.