News Brief
"Even Back In 2007": BJP's Big Claim On Sonam Wangchuk After Centre Cancels FCRA Licence Of Ladakhi Activist's NGO
Sonam Wangchuk (Image via X)
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday (25 September) cancelled the FCRA licence of Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO, Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, after the Central Bureau of Investigation had initiated an inquiry into the institution.
The order came a day after four people were killed in police firing during a violent statehood protest in Leh.
After the MHA action, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya pointed to alleged violations by Wangchuk dating back to 2007, emphasising that the irregularities were flagged long before the BJP came to power at the Centre or in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharing a copy of the 2007 official notice, he said: “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 2007 notice, allegedly issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Leh under the UPA government and shared by Malviya, listed serious allegations against Wangchuk and his NGO.
These included misappropriation of foreign funds under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), illegal occupation of 200 Kanals of land without paying government dues, maintaining anti-national connections in China and other places, and destabilising the harmony of Ladakh through remarks, actions, and threats to the Council and District Administration.
The notice highlighted misuse of FCRA provisions, illegally occupying 200 Kanals of land without paying dues to the government, and having anti-national connections in China and other places, which could be exploited for anti-national activities.
Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh for over a month, called off his fast on Wednesday (24 September) following the unrest.
The Centre noted that “certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress” in talks between the government and Ladakh groups (a key talk was scheduled to be held on 7 October) and “have been trying to sabotage the dialogue process.”
A government order signed by MHA Deputy Secretary Rajesh Kumar T stated: “Considering the facts and position narrated by the organisation, the Competent Authority, hereby, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 14(1) of the Act, cancels with immediate effect the FCRA Certificate of Registration granted to the association – Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh.”
The organisation had been served a show cause notice on 20 August, followed by a letter on 10 September, asking why its FCRA registration should not be cancelled.
Its reply, submitted on 20 September, was examined and several violations were found.
