Government Cancels FCRA Registration of Ladakh Activist Sonam Wangchuk's Organization Over Alleged Violations

New Delhi:

The government on Thursday evening revoked the FCRA registration of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk's organization - the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh - citing 'repeated' violations of foreign funding regulations for non-governmental organizations.

This cancellation occurs just 24 hours after violent demonstrations regarding statehood demands for Ladakh.

Earlier that day, sources informed NDTV about the federal government's planned action against Mr. Wangchuk, who has become the prominent figure in Ladakh's statehood campaign and has been accused of inciting violence resulting in four fatalities. The Home Ministry claimed his 'inflammatory speeches' encouraged a crowd to attack a local BJP office and the Ladakh election officer's headquarters.

Sources also indicated that investigations had identified 'significant financial irregularities' in his organization's operations, including multiple violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.

Regarding SECMOL's alleged infractions, NDTV obtained the government's notification, which mentioned a show-cause notice issued on September 10 containing four inquiries.

The first concerned Mr. Wangchuk depositing Rs 3.35 lakh into the nonprofit's FCRA account, violating regulations. SECMOL explained this money came from selling an old bus.

The organization stated that since the bus was purchased using FCRA funds, the proceeds were returned to the account. However, the government deemed this explanation 'not acceptable'.

"... credit entry of this amount is not recorded in the association's FCRA account. It appears the amount was received as cash, violating Section 17 of the Act..."

Questions were also raised about a Rs 4.93 lakh donation from a Swedish donor for 'youth awareness' programs addressing climate change, migration, and food security.

The government determined this donation was 'contrary to the national interest of the country'.

Two additional similar issues were highlighted, and in each instance, the government claimed sums of Rs 19,600 and Rs 79,200 were improperly entered into the nonprofit's FCRA accounts.

Sonam Wangchuk is widely recognized as the leader of the Ladakhi statehood movement and was conducting a hunger strike to emphasize these demands. Anticipating government action against him, he told news agency PTI he is prepared to be detained under the stringent Public Safety Act.

"I see they are building a case to place me under the Public Safety Act and imprison me for two years," he stated, "I am prepared... but a Sonam Wangchuk in jail may create more problems for them than a free Sonam Wangchuk."

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