New Delhi: The central government has cancelled the FCRA registration of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk’s nonprofit — Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) — citing repeated violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and “serious financial irregularities.”
The move came just a day after violent protests in Ladakh over the demand for statehood, which led to the death of four people.
Govt Flags Irregularities, Cites National Interest
According to sources, investigators flagged multiple violations, including unauthorised deposits and questionable foreign donations. NDTV accessed the government’s notification, which revealed a show-cause notice was issued on September 10 with four specific queries.
One case involved Mr. Wangchuk depositing ₹3.35 lakh into SECMOL’s FCRA account, allegedly from the sale of an old bus. SECMOL argued that since the bus had been purchased with FCRA funds, the proceeds were returned to the same account. The government, however, dismissed this explanation, ruling it “not tenable.”
“… credit entry of this much amount is not found in FCRA account of the association. It seems the amount was received in cash in violation of Section 17 of the Act…” the notice said.
Another violation cited was a ₹4.93 lakh donation from a Swedish donor for youth awareness programmes on climate change, migration, and food security. The government declared the contribution to be “against the national interest of the country.”
Two smaller entries of ₹19,600 and ₹79,200 were also flagged as wrongful deposits into SECMOL’s FCRA account.
Political Angle and Protests
The Home Ministry also blamed Wangchuk’s “provocative speeches” for inciting mobs to attack a local BJP office and the office of the Ladakh election officer during the recent protests.
Wangchuk, who has become the face of the Ladakhi statehood movement, was on a hunger strike pressing for the demand. Anticipating government action, he told media:
“I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years. I am ready… but a Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than a free Sonam Wangchuk.”
Govt Cancels FCRA License Of Wangchuk’s NGO Over ‘Serious Violations’
