Ladakh’s well-known climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk is facing growing legal troubles after the central government cancelled the foreign funding licence of his non-governmental organisation (NGO). The decision came soon after violent protests in Ladakh this week that left four people dead and more than 80 injured, including several policemen.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Thursday that Wangchuk’s NGO, Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), had “repeatedly” broken the rules of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. According to the ministry, large sums of money from abroad were found in Wangchuk’s personal and joint bank accounts, which is a clear violation of the law.
The MHA order said that SECMOL received several crores of rupees from foreign donors between 2021 and 2024. Some of these funds, it claimed, were then transferred abroad to “unknown entities,” raising suspicion of possible money laundering. The ministry also accused Wangchuk of maintaining nine personal bank accounts, eight of which were not declared. Out of these, many showed heavy foreign remittances.
The order added that Wangchuk transferred about ₹2.3 crore abroad from one of his personal accounts between 2021 and 2024. In addition, he allegedly received foreign contributions worth ₹1.68 crore between 2018 and 2024 in different accounts.
Officials pointed out what they described as contradictions in Wangchuk’s public image and financial dealings. “While he criticises the corporate sector, he has accepted large amounts of money under CSR from several companies, including central government public sector units,” the order stated.
According to the MHA, this pattern of financial misconduct casts doubt on Wangchuk’s claim that he is working purely for the people’s cause. The order noted: “His actions risk derailing constructive dialogue and turning genuine concerns into tools for personal and political gain.”
The financial crackdown on Wangchuk comes at a time of heightened unrest in Ladakh. On Wednesday, violent protests broke out in different parts of the union territory as people demanded full statehood for Ladakh and the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Sixth Schedule provides special protections for tribal populations, including powers for local councils, greater control over finances, and separate systems of governance. Protesters argued that such protections are essential for Ladakh’s identity and survival.
Clashes between demonstrators and security forces left four people dead and around 80 injured, among them 40 police personnel. The government has blamed Wangchuk for encouraging the protests and fuelling anger against authorities. However, Wangchuk strongly denied the charge, saying he is being unfairly targeted.
In a statement, he said: “To say it was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere.” He added that the government is attempting to make him the “scapegoat” for the unrest but declared that he is prepared to face arrest under the strict Public Safety Act if necessary.
Apart from the cancellation of his NGO’s licence, Wangchuk now faces investigations by central agencies. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expected to open a formal probe into suspected money laundering and FCRA violations linked to his accounts and SECMOL’s activities.
At the same time, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already been carrying out a preliminary enquiry into the matter for the past two months. This enquiry is focused on possible breaches of the FCRA, which regulates how NGOs in India can receive and use foreign funds.
The twin scrutiny by the ED and CBI signals serious legal challenges ahead for Wangchuk. If the allegations are proven, he could face harsh penalties under the FCRA and anti-money laundering laws.
The controversy has added a new twist to the political situation in Ladakh, which has been tense since it was carved out as a separate union territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370. Many residents have demanded statehood, fearing loss of land, resources, and identity.
Wangchuk has been one of the most visible voices in these protests, often highlighting environmental and cultural concerns. His image as a reformer and educationist had earned him respect across India and abroad, but the government’s latest action could change how he is seen politically.
ALSO READ: Germany and Italy take diverging stances as allies rally for Palestine
ALSO READ: Routine blood tests can sometimes indicate risk of blood cancer, doctor explains
The coming weeks will be crucial. While Wangchuk insists that the focus should remain on Ladakh’s genuine demands, the government is likely to keep the spotlight on alleged financial irregularities. This tension between political activism and financial accountability will shape the debate over Ladakh’s future.
Sonam Wangchuk’s rise as a social reformer and activist has made him an influential figure in Ladakh. But the cancellation of SECMOL’s FCRA licence, combined with probes by the ED and CBI, puts him under unprecedented pressure.
As Ladakh struggles with demands for statehood and greater protections under the Constitution, the government’s decision to tie Wangchuk’s activism to financial misconduct raises difficult questions. Is he being unfairly targeted for his outspoken role, or is the state uncovering deeper irregularities that must be addressed?
Either way, the outcome of these investigations and the broader protests in Ladakh will decide not only Wangchuk’s personal fate but also the political path for the union territory itself.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash