Former BJP MP for Ladakh accuses Wangchuk and others of misleading the people of the UT
Former BJP MP Thupstan Chhewang has criticized activist Sonam Wangchuk and other civil society leaders for misrepresenting recent talks with the Indian government regarding Ladakh's status. Chhewang argues that the discussions were productive and that the delegation is ignoring progress made toward constitutional safeguards.
Why it matters
This reflects internal divisions within the Ladakhi movement for autonomy and highlights the ongoing friction between local activists and the central government.
Former Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Ladakh, Thupstan Chhewang, on Saturday said that the September 9 talks between Ladakhi civil society leaders, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Union Territory’s administration were “fruitful”, countering the perception conveyed by some members of the delegation, including prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk .
Mr. Chhewang — among the first Ladakh leaders to launch a movement in 2020, seeking constitutional safeguards for the region after Article 370 ceased to apply to the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, of which Ladakh was a part — had attended the September 9 sub-committee meeting on the invitation of the MHA.
After the meeting, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said that a sui generis model is being proposed for Ladakh, with a unique elected body under Article 371 of the Constitution that will have legislative, executive, and financial powers.
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