KDA seeks impartial probe into Leh violence, defends activist Sonam Wangchuk
Kargil (PTI): Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Thursday demanded an impartial probe into the clashes between protesters and security personnel in Leh town of Ladakh and asked the Union Territory administration to stop “witch hunting” and “harassment” of people.
It also defended climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was blamed by government for making "provocative statements" leading to mob violence, and expressed sympathies with the families of four slain protesters, describing them as “heroes of Ladakh”.
“Instead of handling the situation in a proper manner, the administration used excessive force on the unarmed protesters...we want a thorough probe into the violence and legal action against those who ordered the firing,” co-chairman of KDA Asgar Ali Karbalai told reporters here.
The Leh Apex Body and the KDA have been jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of their demands including statehood for Ladakh and have held several rounds of talks with the government in the past.
Karbalai, who was flanked by other senior members of the KDA including Ladakh MP Hanifa Jan and prominent leader Sajjad Kargili, said whatever happened was unfortunate but the way the government handled the situation was like “rubbing salt into our wounds”.
“The UT administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs are equally responsible for the happenings. We have been agitating peacefully for the last more than five years in support of our four demands including statehood, extension of Sixth Schedule, public service commission and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.
“We are holding hunger strikes, demonstrations and long marches but the government’s failure pushed the youth to the wall. No job was made available to the local youth and deliberate attempts were made to delay the talks,” he said.
After May 27 talks, the Centre promised next round within a month but “maintained dead silence” despite back-to-back hunger strikes – first in Kargil and later in Leh, he said.
Wangchuk-led hunger strike was going on since September 10 but instead of convening a meeting in near future, the Centre called for talks on October 6 when already 11 days of hunger strike have passed, Karbalai said.
“Two elderly participants fell seriously ill and had to be shifted to a hospital, leading to concern among the people,” he said.
“They are trying to save themselves by blaming Wangchuk and others. It is the failure of the UT and Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said, adding the government is claiming that they were apprehensive of violence but why necessary security measures were not taken in advance.
“We reject their charges blaming Wangchuk and others for the violence,” he said.
MP Hanifa Jan said the people of Ladakh felt ignored after the MHA failed to convene next round of talks.
“The government must stop harassment of youth, hold free and fair investigation and restart dialogue with all seriousness to resolve pending demands,” he said.
Kargili alleged that the failed policy of the government was responsible for all the happenings.
“People felt frustrated without jobs. They (BJP) have included the demand (for extension of Sixth Schedule) in their manifesto but never kept their promise,” he said, adding “we never endorsed violence but they need to act with wisdom and restart the dialogue”.
He said the narrative to blame Wangchuk and others is “baseless and not acceptable to us”.
The KDA leaders also accused the government of witch-hunting, harassment of people associated with Leh Apex Body and mass detention of youth.
The government should immediately put an end to all this and restart dialogue with the people of Ladakh in a sincere manner, they said.
They said the people of Ladakh stand with the bereaved families of four persons who lost their lives.
“They are our heroes and their sacrifice will be remembered for ever,” Karbalai said.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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