New Delhi, September 25: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday cancelled the FCRA licence of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organisation founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, citing alleged financial irregularities and “activities against national interest.”
According to officials, the licence was revoked after discrepancies were found in SECMOL’s financial records, including a ₹3.5 lakh cash deposit, an unreported ₹3.35 lakh donation, and the transfer of ₹54,600 local funds into an FCRA account, in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. A foreign contribution of ₹4.93 lakh from Sweden, meant for youth awareness workshops on climate change and food security, was also flagged as against “national interest.”
The action comes a day after violent clashes in Leh, where four people were killed during protests demanding Ladakh’s statehood. The Centre has accused Wangchuk of inciting unrest by making provocative references to Arab Spring-style demonstrations and recent youth protests in Nepal.
Reacting to the cancellation, Wangchuk denied wrongdoing, calling the move a political “witch hunt.” He said SECMOL has never relied on foreign funding and argued that proceeds from projects with international organisations, including the UN, Switzerland, and Italy, were legitimate service fees with taxes paid. “All the blame for Leh violence is being put on me,” he said.
The home ministry’s order revokes SECMOL’s permission to receive foreign contributions with immediate effect, a decision expected to impact other NGOs under financial scrutiny.
Keywords: FCRA licence Sonam Wangchuk, SECMOL FCRA cancellation, Ladakh protests, Sonam Wangchuk witch hunt, SECMOL financial irregularities.