MHA Cancels FCRA Licence of Sonam Wangchuk-Founded NGOs Amid Escalating Ladakh Unrest

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on September 25 revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licences of two prominent Ladakh-based organisations—the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL)—both founded by activist Sonam Wangchuk.

According to the ministry, the decision followed repeated financial irregularities, acceptance of foreign contributions “against national interest,” and violations of FCRA Sections 17 and 18. One flagged transaction involved a transfer of ₹4.93 lakh from Sweden, which officials said was used to examine issues such as sovereignty and migration—topics deemed beyond the permissible scope of foreign-funded activities.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been examining the accounts of SECMOL and HIAL for the past two months, though no formal case has been registered. The probe, initiated after an MHA complaint, includes scrutiny of records dating back to 2020. CBI teams have been stationed in Ladakh for over a week, seizing documents and questioning staff.

Wangchuk, however, maintains that the funds were legitimate payments for “knowledge-sharing services with the UN, Swiss universities, and an Italian institution,” adding that all relevant taxes had been duly paid.

This is not the first instance of official action against Wangchuk’s organisations. In August 2025, the Ladakh administration cancelled HIAL’s land allotment, citing failure to utilise the site for its declared educational purpose. SECMOL had earlier received a show-cause notice over a ₹3.5 lakh deposit from the sale of an old bus into its FCRA account—an action prohibited under Section 17. Another discrepancy involved a reported personal donation of ₹3.35 lakh from Wangchuk that was not reflected in the FCRA records.

The cancellations come amid escalating unrest in Ladakh. Violent protests on September 24, demanding full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, left four people dead and several others injured. Demonstrators torched BJP offices and clashed with security forces, who responded with tear gas and firing.

The government has accused Wangchuk of inciting the violence, pointing to his repeated calls for “Arab Spring-style” and “Gen-Z” uprisings. His indefinite hunger strike since September 10 has become a focal point for youth anger. Wangchuk, in turn, blames “six years of unemployment and unmet promises” for the growing discontent, denying any role in the violence.

The MHA underlined that the Centre has been engaging with the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through a High-Powered Committee (HPC). Officials highlighted recent measures, including raising Scheduled Tribe reservations from 45% to 84%, granting 33% reservation for women in local councils, recognising Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and approving 1,800 new government jobs. The next round of HPC talks is scheduled for October 6.

The ministry accused Wangchuk of “sabotaging dialogue” by provoking street unrest, while reiterating the Centre’s commitment to Ladakh’s development and constitutional dialogue. The cancellation of SECMOL and HIAL’s FCRA licences underscores what officials describe as a zero-tolerance policy toward financial violations and activities perceived to undermine stability in the Union Territory.