Leh: Prominent Ladakhi education reformer and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has broken his silence following the cancellation of the FCRA license of his NGO, SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), by the Union Home Ministry. The revocation came just a day after protests in Leh escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
In a sharp response to the move, Wangchuk said he has been unfairly singled out for the unrest in the region. “The Home Ministry’s press release named me several times, and the entire burden of the blame has been placed on my shoulders,” he told a news agency.
Backdrop: Protests Turn Violent, License Revoked
The situation in Ladakh has grown increasingly tense in recent weeks, as residents continue to demand statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution — promises that many claim were made but never fulfilled after the region’s separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Sonam Wangchuk, who recently ended a month-long hunger strike, had been at the forefront of peaceful demonstrations supporting these demands. However, violence erupted during a protest in Leh earlier this week, prompting swift administrative action.
On Thursday, the Home Ministry issued an order revoking SECMOL’s registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), effectively cutting the organization off from receiving any foreign funding. The ministry cited alleged violations of the Act between 2022 and 2024, claiming the organization accepted funds without valid authorization.
Wangchuk: “We Didn’t Even Seek Foreign Funding”
In his statement, Wangchuk contested the allegations, saying SECMOL had not applied for foreign donations in recent years. “We didn’t have a valid FCRA license during that period precisely because we chose not to take foreign funding,” he said.
He revealed that SECMOL had been under growing scrutiny for months. “A month and a half ago, I was informed that a sedition case had been filed against me. Then I received a notice saying that our school land might be seized. Shortly afterward, CBI and Income Tax investigations began,” he added.
He believes the action against him is politically motivated, stemming from his role in the statehood movement. “The people of Ladakh are simply demanding what was promised. Now the government is trying to silence those who stand with them,” Wangchuk said.
Ministry’s Justification and Legal Steps
According to the Home Ministry, SECMOL was granted FCRA registration under certificate number 152710012R, which allowed it to receive foreign contributions for cultural and educational initiatives. A show-cause notice was sent to the organization on August 20, followed by an email reminder on September 10, asking for an explanation regarding the alleged violations.
Citing Section 14 of the FCRA, 2010, the ministry formally cancelled the registration on Thursday, just hours after the protests turned deadly in Leh.
A Broader Crackdown?
Observers note that the cancellation of SECMOL’s license could signal a wider crackdown on civil society activism in Ladakh. The region has witnessed growing frustration over governance, environmental degradation, and fears of exploitation following its change in status to a Union Territory.
The developments also raise concerns about the space for peaceful dissent and independent civil initiatives in a strategically sensitive region.
