Blaming me for instigating Ladakh violence is a ‘scapegoat tactic’: Wangchuk
“To say it was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere. They may be clever in making somebody else a scapegoat, but they are not wise. At this time, we all need wisdom rather than cleverness because youths are already frustrated,” Wangchuk told PTI over the phone.
The activist, who has been leading a peaceful agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, also raised concerns about his own safety. “I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years,” he said, adding, “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.”
The statehood movement led by Wangchuk turned violent in Leh on Wednesday, resulting in four deaths and at least 80 injuries, including 40 police personnel, officials said. It was described as the worst day of violence in the cold desert region since 1989.
Wangchuk attributed the anger to long-standing grievances, particularly frustration among the youth. He said the real cause lay in the frustration of six years of unemployment and unmet promises at every level.
Accusing the government of misleading people by touting partial job reservations as success, he noted that the key demands of statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to safeguard Ladakh’s tribal identity and fragile environment remain untouched after five years of peaceful appeals.
He said that by employing the scapegoat tactic, the government was not actually taking measures for peace but instead further aggravating the situation by diverting attention from the people’s core demands, PTI reported.
As violence spread, Wangchuk called off his fortnight-long hunger strike pressing for statehood and the Sixth Schedule, while authorities imposed curfew in Leh district.
Earlier in the day, during the Ladakh protest, groups of youths resorted to arson and vandalism, targeting the BJP office and the Hill Council headquarters, and setting vehicles on fire. Police and paramilitary personnel used teargas shells to disperse the mobs, officials said.
In a statement, the Union Home Ministry said Wangchuk had begun his hunger strike on September 10 to press the demand for Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule and statehood. It alleged that the mob violence was fuelled by provocative statements from Wangchuk and some politically motivated individuals unhappy with the progress of ongoing talks between the government and Ladakhi groups.
The ministry said that barring a few unfortunate incidents early on Wednesday, the situation was under control by 4 pm. It also urged people not to circulate old or provocative videos on media and social media.
“It is well known that the Government of India has been actively engaged with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance. Series of meetings were held with them through formal channel of High Powered Committee (HPC) as well as sub-committee and multiple informal meetings with leaders,” the statement said.
However, certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress made under HPC and have been trying to sabotage the dialogue process, it added.
The next HPC meeting has been scheduled for October 6, while other meetings are planned on September 25 and 26 with Ladakhi leaders.
Calling the violence heart-wrenching, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta said, “Everyone has the right to speak up in a peaceful manner in a democratic system, but what happened today was not spontaneous and was the result of a conspiracy. We will not spare those people who have spoiled the atmosphere here.”
Curfew has been imposed in Leh as a precautionary measure to prevent further casualties, officials said.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/ladakh-protest-blaming-me-for-the-turn-of-events-is-scapegoat-tactic-says-sonam-wangchuk-23595777
