Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the central government of preventing her from meeting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained on Monday night at the Singhu border while attempting to enter the national capital with his supporters. Speaking to reporters outside Bawana Police Station, Atishi said, “I came here to meet Sonam Wangchuk, an esteemed environmentalist and educationist. He was traveling to Delhi from Ladakh with 150 supporters to raise their voices. Yet, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government arrested him at the border. The people of Ladakh seek democratic rights and do not want governance by a Lieutenant Governor. Although I was permitted to enter the police station, I was not allowed to meet him.”

Earlier reports indicated that Atishi was initially stopped outside the Bawana Police Station. She arrived around 1 PM but faced restrictions from police officers, as stated by the Aam Aadmi Party.

Atishi further criticized the central government, claiming, “The BJP is doing everything it can to undermine democracy and infringe upon the right to vote. Why were they arrested? Why am I being prevented from meeting them? This is because the BJP fears democracy. I firmly believe that if this dictatorial approach continues, the LG rule in Ladakh will come to an end, as will the LG rule in Delhi, and the BJP’s central government will also face consequences.” A heavy police presence has been established around the Bawana Police Station, located on the Delhi-Haryana border.