Jaipur, March 14 Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday questioned the Centre over the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying the entire matter raises serious concerns about the functioning of the Union government.
Gehlot said the news of Wangchuk's release was welcome, but the entire episode raised questions about the working style of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"It is ironic that Wangchuk, who once supported the policies of the prime minister, was booked under stringent provisions of the National Security Act when he raised his voice for the rights of Ladakh and environmental protection, and was sent to jail in Jodhpur," Gehlot said.
The Congress leader said a person who was described as a "threat to national security" a few months ago is now being released, which indicates that no evidence has been found against him.
"If that is the case, who will account for the 170 days he spent in custody? Why was he arrested?" Gehlot asked in a social media post.
He also questioned whether the definition of national security would now be determined by the political interests of the ruling BJP.
Gehlot alleged that such "convenient use" of strict laws reflected authoritarian tendencies and undermined the credibility of democratic institutions.
"The people of the country are watching this double standard," he said.
Climate activist from Ladakh, Wangchuk, was released from the Jodhpur central jail on Saturday after the central government's decision to revoke his detention with immediate effect.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) pursuant to an order issued by the district magistrate of Leh. He has undergone nearly half of the detention period under the Act.