Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the BJP for arresting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the NSA, calling it an “act of cowardice.” In its Saamana editorial, the party condemned the government for portraying Wangchuk as anti-national and highlighted his legitimate visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. File pic
Days after the violent protest in Ladakh broke out, the Shiv Sena (UBT) lashed out at the BJP-led government. While criticising the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), Shiv Sena (UBT), while slamming the BJP, called it an “act of cowardice”.
In a strongly-worded editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp said the government disgraced itself by portraying a Gandhian activist as a traitor. It further highlighted, “What did the British do differently?” as cited by news agency IANS.
The editorial further condemned the BJP-led administration at the Centre's efforts to portray Wangchuk as anti-national. To back up its claims, it had the Ladakh Director General of Police declare that Pakistan was behind the Ladakh unrest and that Wangchuk had ties to Pakistan.
The writing also indicated that the government has fabricated ludicrous claims that Wangchuk attended a 'Dawn' newspaper event in Pakistan and visited Bangladesh.
The editorial said, “If Wangchuk had gone to Pakistan or Bangladesh, he would not have sneaked in through some secret route. He obtained visas for both countries on his Indian passport and attended social programmes there. Similarly, PM Modi once went to Pakistan for the birthday of the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“Bangladesh is considered a friendly country by India. Surprisingly, the Director General of Police of Ladakh is unaware that the BJP-led government at the Centre has given political asylum to the ousted President of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, in India,” said the editorial, adding, “as per IANS.”
The editorial, which was published in Saamana, went on to add that Wangchuk's wife, Geetanjali, even exposed the government's lies, saying that Wangchuk's visit to Pakistan was part of a United Nations conference.
“The conference was on the subject of the environment and climate change. Wangchuk spoke on climate change at this conference. He went to Pakistan only with the permission of the Indian government. "When this is clear, it is foolish to say that Pakistan has a hand in the violence in Leh and that Wangchuk is responsible for it," the editorial said, as per IANS.
The Thackeray camp further said that Wangchuk was on a hunger strike for the demands of the people of Leh and Ladakh, mainly to include it in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and accord full statehood through democratic means.
Slamming the government, Shiv Sena (UBT) further emphasised that the impact of 'Operation Sindoor' did not go down well with the Pakistanis, as their act of creating terrorism and violence in India continues.
(With inputs from IANS)
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