New Delhi, Sep 25: The Union Home Ministry has cancelled the FCRA licence of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organization founded by noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, with immediate effect. This decisive action stems from multiple alleged discrepancies in the organization’s financial practices, particularly concerning foreign fund transfers deemed detrimental to national interest.
Authorities scrutinized the organization following concerns regarding a fund transfer from Sweden, totaling around Rs 4.93 lakh, allocated for awareness programs addressing migration, climate change, food security, and organic farming. The Home Ministry’s governmental order highlights that using foreign contributions to study national sovereignty may contradict the interests of India.
SECMOL received its FCRA licence to accept foreign funding exclusively for cultural and educational endeavours. However, the Ministry cited several irregularities observed in its financial accounts as reasons for the cancellation. The organisation had previously faced scrutiny after a show-cause notice requested clarification regarding its financial irregularities.
Among the most concerning findings was the reported deposit of Rs 3.5 lakh into the FCRA account during the financial year 2021-22, which SECMOL claimed was proceeds from selling an old bus purchased using FCRA funds. The Ministry stated in its order that this transaction violated Section 17 of the FCRA Act, indicating the cash was not appropriately disclosed.
Moreover, the Ministry noticed a discrepancy with a reported Foreign Contribution donation of Rs 3.35 lakh from Sonam Wangchuk himself, which also was not reflected in the FCRA account as mandated by Section 18 of the Act. The Ministry labelled another transaction—a transfer of Rs 54,600 identified as local funds—an irrelevant mistake.
As reactions unfolded, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk raised alarms about his personal safety. He alleged that the government orchestrates a case against him, potentially aiming to enforce the Public Safety Act to imprison him for two years. Wangchuk, who has vocally campaigned for the statehood and protection of rights for Ladakh, expressed resilience in light of these allegations.
“I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years,” he said, expressing a willingness to face incarceration. “But Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.” The climate activist’s concerns reflect broader anxieties about civil liberties and the implications of governmental regulations on NGOs operating in India.
The Home Ministry’s order to revoke SECMOL’s FCRA licence underscores ongoing tensions over foreign funding and its perceived impact on domestic security and organizational transparency. With the Ministry asserting that foreign contributions cannot undermine national integrity, the cancellation evokes further discussion about the balance between government oversight and the operational autonomy of NGOs in India.
As the situation develops, stakeholders in the NGO community and civil rights activists will closely monitor how SECMOL responds to these allegations and the broader implications for organizations striving for socio-environmental justice in India.
