New Delhi, Sep 25: The Union Home Ministry has cancelled the FCRA licence of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organisation founded by renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The cancellation, effective immediately, stems from various alleged discrepancies in the organisation’s financial accounts, including a controversial fund transfer from Sweden deemed against “national interest”.
Established to accept foreign contributions for cultural and educational initiatives, SECMOL’s FCRA licence now faces revocation after the ministry identified significant irregularities in its financial practices. Apart from SECMOL, Wangchuk’s Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) also faces scrutiny, currently under a CBI inquiry for potential violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
The Home Ministry had previously served SECMOL with a show-cause notice, demanding explanations for various irregularities in its financial transactions. Reports suggest that during the financial year 2021-22, Wangchuk improperly deposited Rs 3.5 lakh into the SECMOL’s FCRA account, violating Section 17 of the Act. According to SECMOL, this amount came from the sale proceeds of an old bus purchased with FCRA funds. They argued this sale was permissible under the Act’s guidelines.
However, the ministry determined that the sale proceeds were in cash, a point not adequately addressed in SECMOL’s response. Additionally, an amount of Rs 3.35 lakh was reportedly donated by Wangchuk but failed to appear in the organisation’s FCRA account. This omission constituted a violation of Section 18 of the Act.
Further complicating matters, SECMOL acknowledged a local fund transfer of Rs 54,600 to its FCRA accounts, which they claimed was an error. Yet, this misstep added to the growing concerns surrounding the organisation’s financial integrity.
One of the most contentious issues is a foreign contribution of approximately Rs 4.93 lakh from Sweden, intended to raise awareness among youth on critical issues such as migration, climate change, and food sovereignty. The ministry has rejected SECMOL’s assertions that these funds were exclusively for educational purposes, declaring that they cannot legally accept international funding for activities perceived as threatening to national sovereignty.
The Home Ministry, citing a pattern of financial discrepancies, invoked its powers under Section 14 of the FCRA to nullify SECMOL’s licence. This decisive action highlights the scrutiny that NGOs and organisations engaging with international funds often encounter, particularly when their objectives intersect with contentious political issues.
In response to the cancellation, Wangchuk voiced his concerns regarding the government’s motives, alleging that authorities aim to fabricate a case against him to silence his activism. Known for leading peaceful protests advocating for statehood and protections for Ladakh, he expressed alarm about his personal safety amid the growing tension with government entities.
“I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years,” Wangchuk stated. “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.” His words resonate with those who view the cancellation of SECMOL’s FCRA licence as part of a broader trend of silencing dissent in India.
With the cancellation of SECMOL’s licence, the case sheds light on the delicate balance between governmental oversight and the autonomy of organisations working for social and cultural development. As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial to monitor the implications of such actions on civil society and democratic engagement in India.
