Leh — In a move that underscores the widening rift between Ladakh’s activists and New Delhi, the Indian government has revoked the foreign funding license of a nonprofit led by environmentalist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, accusing it of repeated violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
The cancellation comes barely 24 hours after violent clashes broke out in Leh, where demonstrators led by Wangchuk had been pressing for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. With the FCRA registration revoked, his organization will no longer be able to access funds from overseas donors, a significant blow to its operations.
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Government’s Charges and CBI Inquiry
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs accused Wangchuk of inciting local youth to violence, even as the activist had announced the end of his hunger strike on September 24. Authorities allege that during the protests, agitators set fire to a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle and attempted to burn personnel alive inside, forcing security forces to open fire in self-defense.
Parallel to the ministry’s action, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opened a preliminary inquiry into possible FCRA violations at institutions founded by Wangchuk, though no formal case has yet been registered. According to officials, the investigation was triggered by a complaint from the Home Ministry regarding irregularities in foreign contributions.
Wangchuk’s Response
Wangchuk, whose work on alternative education and sustainable development has earned international recognition, confirmed that a CBI team had visited Leh about ten days earlier. He said investigators informed him that his Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) may have received foreign revenues without prior approval under FCRA rules.
“We export our knowledge and generate revenue through collaborations,” Wangchuk said, adding that officials cited three such cases as violations. He denied wrongdoing, arguing that his institutions were engaged in legitimate knowledge-sharing, not political or financial misconduct.
A Larger Struggle in the Himalayas
The clash between Wangchuk and the central government extends beyond the fate of one NGO. It reflects the deepening discontent in Ladakh since 2019, when India revoked Article 370, split Jammu and Kashmir, and designated Ladakh as a Union Territory without a legislature.
While the government frames the issue as a matter of law and order, local leaders and activists see it as part of a broader fight for political representation, environmental protection, and cultural identity in a fragile Himalayan region grappling with climate change and rapid militarization.
