"Engage in dialogue, stop politics of violence and fear": Rahul Gandhi urges centre on Leh issue

New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI): Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged the Centre to hold talks with the people of Ladakh, calling on the government to "engage in dialogue and stop the politics of violence and fear," as he demanded a fair judicial inquiry into the recent violence in Leh that claimed four lives.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi highlighted that one of the victims who was shot dead belonged to a family of soldiers. "Father a soldier, son also a soldier - those whose blood runs with patriotism. Yet the BJP government took the life of the country's brave son by shooting him, just because he stood up for Ladakh and his rights. The father's pained eyes are just asking one question - is this the reward for serving the country today?" he said.
He further stated his demand of fair judicial inquiry, calling the death "murder" and added, "Our demand is that there must be a fair judicial inquiry into these murders that took place in Ladakh, and the guilty must be given the strictest possible punishment. Modi ji, you have betrayed the people of Ladakh."
He highlighted that the people of Ladhakh are "demanding their rights". "They are demanding their rights, engage in dialogue - stop the politics of violence and fear," he said.
Earlier, on September 24, violence broke out in Leh during the protests, when the local BJP office was set on fire.
Four people died in the clashes. Two days later, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA). He has been accused of "inciting violence".
The people of Ladakh have been demanding the inclusion of the Union Territory in the Schedule VI of the Constitution. This Schedule of the Constitution contains Article 244(2) and 275(1), which reads, "Provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram."
The climate activist has been advocating for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which concerns the administration of tribal areas and advocates for the creation of autonomous district councils with certain legislative and judicial powers.
The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 currently applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya. (ANI)