Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 1: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government over the arrest of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), branding it a “disgraceful” and “cowardly” move. In a fiery editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray-led faction questioned the government’s intent and accused it of vilifying a Gandhian voice of dissent by labelling him anti-national.

Drawing parallels with colonial-era suppression, the editorial said the current regime was behaving no differently than the British, by targeting peaceful activists who raise democratic demands. It condemned what it called a systematic effort to malign Wangchuk’s image by suggesting links to Pakistan and foreign conspiracies. “What did the British do differently?” the piece asked pointedly.

According to the editorial, Ladakh’s Director General of Police was allegedly used to float narratives tying Wangchuk to Pakistani interests, including absurd claims that he had attended events hosted by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper or visited Bangladesh with questionable intent. The article strongly refuted this, noting that Wangchuk travelled abroad using a valid Indian passport and attended international forums on climate change — including a United Nations event in Pakistan — with the knowledge and permission of the Indian government.

The piece also highlighted comments made by Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali, who clarified that his Pakistan visit was part of a UN-backed environmental conference, and not politically motivated. “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,” Saamana stated.

The editorial underscored that Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike in support of demands by the people of Ladakh — chiefly, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and full statehood for the region. It reminded readers that these were promises originally made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, yet the government had now turned on the activist demanding their fulfilment.

It went on to argue that Wangchuk was being punished not for any wrongdoing, but for exposing inconvenient truths — from unemployment in Ladakh to environmental degradation and unchecked Chinese intrusions. The editorial claimed that Wangchuk’s persistent warnings about Chinese advances had embarrassed the Centre, prompting a retaliatory crackdown.

Accusing the government of double standards, Shiv Sena (UBT) questioned why Wangchuk, who speaks for soldiers and the environment, is labelled a traitor, while public figures who played cricket with Pakistan are hailed as heroes. It warned that the BJP’s version of nationalism is selective and hollow, and accused the ruling party of abandoning the core values of Hindutva in favour of propaganda and lies.

Referring to the larger security failures, the Thackeray camp said it was ironic that the government was now admitting to Pakistani influence in Ladakh, suggesting not Wangchuk’s guilt but the state’s own failure to protect its borders. It asked why, if Pakistan was behind violence in Ladakh, the promised “befitting reply” — often touted by the Prime Minister and Home Minister — had not been delivered.

In closing, the piece condemned Wangchuk’s arrest as a political vendetta aimed at silencing dissent, while elevating those who align with the ruling party’s narrative. It defended Wangchuk’s peaceful activism and reiterated the authenticity of his wife’s statements. “Her anger is 100 per cent justified,” it said.