MHA Cancels FCRA Licence of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO; Curbs remain in Leh after violence, over 50 rioters detained
26 Sep 2025 12:47:26
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) licence of Sonam Wangchuk’s Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) over alleged violations of the Act. The cancellation means the Leh-based institute will no longer be able to receive or utilise foreign funding.
Reacting to the decision, BJP leader Amit Malviya said the step should have been taken long ago. In a post on X, he wrote, “Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO has finally had its FCRA license cancelled – a step that should have been taken long ago. Even back in 2007, when BJP was not in power at the Centre or in J&K, the government had flagged several violations by him and made sharp observations. The record speaks for itself.”
The Deputy Commissioner of Leh on Thursday issued a notice to Sonam Wangchuk, stating that in the past there have been serious allegations against him and his NGO. The notice stated, "You have been demolarising Government staff, by-passing administrative offices like Zonal Education Office etc., using undignified language and remarks, showering baseless allegations against department and its functionaries. You have been illegally occupying 200 Kanals of land without paying dues to the Government. You have been misusing provisions of Foreign Contribution Act by misappropriation of funds received from Foreign Contributions."
"You have been anti national connections in china and other places, which have been or may be exploited for anti national activities. You have been threatening Council and District Administration from time to time with adverse remarks and with threat of dire consequences there by destabilizing the harmony of the place."
“All these allegations are very serious and hold significant threat to the administration and peace of the region. A Notice is hereby served against you for initiating action in all these matters against your NGO and in particular you in personal capacity so as to take preventive safety measure to prevent any disturbance in the region,” the notice stated.
Earlier, the Centre on Wednesday issued statement and held Sonam Wangchuk responsible for inciting the violence in Leh, which led to loss of lives.
Meanwhile, prohibitions continue to remain in force in Leh on Friday following the violence on September 24. Assembly of five or more persons has been banned in the district. No procession, rally or march can be carried out without prior written approval. Security personnel have been deployed across the town.
Taking tough action, police have detained over 50 rioters for Wednesday’s violence. Officials said further action is being planned against those who instigated the violence in Leh town that left four people dead, 90 injured, and caused extensive damage to several buildings and vehicles, including BJP office.