New Delhi, Sept 28: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that the people, culture, and centuries-old traditions of Ladakh are “under assault” under their rule. He reiterated his party’s demand for granting Ladakh constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, a key provision meant to protect the rights of tribal and indigenous communities over land, culture, and resources.
Gandhi’s remarks came in response to the violent protests in Leh last week, which left four people dead and scores injured after clashes broke out between demonstrators and security forces. The unrest, which marked one of the most serious incidents in the Union Territory since its formation in 2019, led to the detention of around 50 people and the arrest of prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk, widely regarded as the face of the movement for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule status, has since been moved to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
In a strongly worded post on X, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP government of ignoring Ladakh’s aspirations and responding to legitimate democratic demands with violence and intimidation. “Ladakh’s amazing people, culture, and traditions are under attack by the BJP and RSS,” Gandhi wrote. “Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing 4 young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk. Stop the killing. Stop the violence. Stop the intimidation. Give Ladakh a voice. Give them the Sixth Schedule,” he added.