The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revoked the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) licence of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organisation founded by well-known climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The government cited repeated violations of the FCRA as grounds for its decision.

The move follows a day of unrest in Leh, where protests over Ladakh’s demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule turned violent, resulting in four deaths and over 80 injuries, including nearly 40 security personnel. Demonstrators set fire to the local BJP office, the Hill Council headquarters, and several vehicles before police and paramilitary forces intervened with tear gas to restore order. A curfew was later enforced across the city.

According to officials, SECMOL was registered under the FCRA to receive foreign donations for cultural and educational initiatives. The Home Ministry issued the NGO a show-cause notice on August 20, 2025, followed by a reminder on September 10, asking why its licence should not be cancelled. SECMOL submitted its reply on September 19, but the explanation was deemed unsatisfactory.

Among the violations listed, the MHA noted that in 2021–22, SECMOL deposited ₹3.5 lakh into its designated FCRA account. The NGO maintained this was the sale proceeds from an old bus originally purchased with foreign contributions. However, the Ministry rejected this defence, pointing to discrepancies in filings and the absence of a corresponding credit entry.

Another irregularity was flagged in 2020–21, when local contributions amounting to ₹54,600 from three individuals were mistakenly deposited into the FCRA account. SECMOL admitted this was a volunteer’s error, but the MHA said the act contravened Section 17 of the law.

The cancellation of SECMOL’s licence comes at a time when Sonam Wangchuk has been at the forefront of Ladakh’s political agitation, including a recent hunger strike demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for the region.