The FCRA license of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO – SECMOL has been canceled by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with “immediate effect”. The MHA stated that Sonam Wangchuk had deposited Rs 3.5 lakh in the FCRA account of the association during FY 2021-222, in contravention of section 17 of the Act. A Show Cause Notice (SCN) dated 20.08.2025 was served to the association as to why its FCRA registration certificate should not be cancelled in exercise of section 14 of the Act. Thereafter, SECMOL was not able to provide the clarifications that were sought.
As per the Ministry, the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) received registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, for implementing the Cultural and Educational Programme. Rs 3,35,000/- had been credited in FCRA account by the association which they claimed was sale proceeds of an old bus purchased from the FCRA fund. However, the MHA noted that this amount was not credited in the FCRA account of the association.
“It seems that the amount has been received in cash in violation of section 17 of the Act, which is not properly disclosed by the association in its reply,” it said.
Moreover, the association reported a sum of Rs. 3,35,000/- in FC-4 as an FC donation from Sonam Wangchuk. However, this also did not appear in the FCRA account, in violation of section 18 of the Act.
During FY 2020-21, the association also deposited local funds of Rs.54,600/- into the association’s FCRA account by three individuals (Rs. 18,200/-each) in violation of section 17 of the Act.
MHA blames Sonam Wangchuk for inciting protests in Ladakh
This comes on the heels of events in Ladakh that resulted in street protests becoming violent and four people dying. The Ministry of Home Affairs has said, in a statement, that the mob was incited by Sonam Wangchuk’s statements, which led to the loss of lives in Leh.
“In spite of many leaders urging him to call off the hunger strike, he continued with the hunger strike and misled the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protests and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal,” MHA said.
The Centre and representatives from Ladakh comprised of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance are expected to negotiate once again on October 6.
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