In a blistering attack on the BJP-led Centre, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemned the arrest of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been spearheading the demand for full statehood for the region. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia joined others in denouncing the move, with the AAP Chief warning that “even Ravan met his end, Kansa met his end, Hitler and Mussolini met their end—and today the world despises them.” He said India is witnessing “peak dictatorship,” and those drunk on arrogance and tyranny will face a “terrible downfall.”
On Sonam Wangchuck’s arrest, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal took to X and wrote: “Ravana’s end also came. Kansa’s end also came. Hitler’s and Mussolini’s end also came. And today, people hate all those individuals. Today in our country, dictatorship is at its peak. The end of those who practice dictatorship and arrogance is very bad.”
Before the arrest, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal shared a post on X urging the nation to read about Sonam Wangchuk. The AAP Suprem wrote: “Sonam Wangchuk is a person who thinks about the country, who thinks about education, who creates new inventions. Today, the entire machinery of the Central Government is persecuting him under a disgusting political conspiracy. It is deeply painful to see how the reins of the country are in such hands. How will a nation progress under such people?”
AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj posted on X, “Fear is good. The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk shows that the BJP-led Central Government can already see its end. Just as Kansa could foresee and hear his own doom, and in fear considered every child of Devaki as his death, in the same way today the BJP government sees its downfall in every people’s movement. This fear is evident on their social media handles.”
“When misfortune descends on a human, wisdom dies first,” asserted the AAP Delhi Unit President, in another post.
Senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia wrote on X: “Sonam Wangchuk is not only the voice of Ladakh but also the hope of the youth of India. His voice carries the simplicity of a teacher, the knowledge of a scientist, and the soul of a true patriot. But today, under BJP rule, politics has fallen to such depths that a true patriot and teacher is being persecuted. If the reins of the nation are in the hands of people who cannot rise above petty politics, expecting development is futile.”
In another post, Manish Sisodia wrote: “Understand this, O dictator: a government that imprisons the truth does not last long.”
Senior AAP leader and MP Sanjay Singh condemned the arrest, stating on X, “The Modi government has fallen into a state of mental bankruptcy. The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk is a symbol of Hitler-style dictatorship. Stopping the people of Ladakh from protesting will spark a massive public uprising.”
“Look at the desperation of the Modi government at the Centre. They are trying to brand Sonam Wangchuk, who raises his voice through Gandhian means, as a criminal. Do not underestimate the power of peace, Modi ji. Ladakh and its people are Indians. They stand with India and against China. Listen to them and grant full statehood to Ladakh,” wrote Sanjay Singh, in another post.
Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Atishi strongly criticized the move. Shewrote on X: “Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested to silence the voice of Ladakh. A man who is fighting for his people’s land, environment, identity, and voting rights is being jailed. This is an attack on democracy. The BJP government cannot crush the people’s voice through fear and oppression.”
AAP’s National Media In-Charge Anurag Dhanda posted on X, “The pot of BJP’s sins is slowly filling up. Sonam Wangchuk is not even a politician. The truth is that the BJP is against every individual who wishes to do something good for the country.”
The Aam Aadmi Party said the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk is a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism in India and vowed to stand with the people of Ladakh in their fight for justice and full statehood.
