SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday described the arrest of prominent climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk as “deeply unfortunate” and accused the BJP-led central government of reneging on promises made to the people of Ladakh. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Third Junior Asian Pencak Silat Championship in Srinagar, Abdullah said the arrest was not unexpected given the government’s recent actions against Wangchuk. “The way the central government was going after him since yesterday, it was evident that they were planning something like this,” he remarked.
Wangchuk, a widely respected figure known for his non-violent activism, was taken into custody on Friday, two days after violent protests erupted in Ladakh, leaving four people dead and nearly 90 injured. The Union Home Ministry has blamed him for making “provocative statements” that allegedly incited the violence, although the charges against him have not been clearly specified. Wangchuk is a senior member of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been leading a peaceful movement for more than five years, demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Abdullah accused the Centre of betraying the trust of Ladakh’s people, pointing out that key assurances made before the 2020 Hill Council elections in Leh were never fulfilled. “Before the council elections, a Union minister went to Ladakh because people had decided to boycott the polls. Promises were made to persuade them to participate, and they not only took part in large numbers but even gave the BJP a victory. And yet, those promises were not kept, just as they were not kept with us,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with Jammu and Kashmir’s own situation, Abdullah recalled that the Centre had assured the restoration of statehood after the assembly elections. “People here participated in elections based on that promise, and a government was formed. But even after all this, statehood has not been restored,” he noted. The Chief Minister questioned whether the delay in granting statehood was politically motivated. “Are the people of Jammu and Kashmir being denied statehood simply because they did not elect the BJP? If that’s the case, then the government should clearly tell the court that statehood will not be restored until the BJP forms the government here,” he said.
Abdullah also responded to comments by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, who accused him of justifying the violence in Ladakh. Dismissing the allegation, Abdullah said, “The BJP always finds it convenient to blame others. I have only spoken about the facts and the broken promises that have brought the situation to this point.”
The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, a figure internationally recognized for his work in education and climate action, has triggered widespread condemnation from civil society and opposition leaders. Many see it as part of a larger pattern of intolerance toward dissent and a reflection of the government’s failure to engage constructively with long-standing demands in Ladakh. Abdullah’s remarks echo a growing sentiment that the Centre’s unwillingness to honor its commitments — both in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir — is eroding public trust and exacerbating political tensions in the region.