New Delhi: The government has revoked the FCRA registration of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk’s non-profit organisation, citing repeated violations of rules regulating foreign funding for NGOs. The move comes just a day after violent protests erupted in the union territory over demands for statehood, which were led by Wangchuk.

Probe into financial irregularities

The Centre had launched an inquiry into alleged financial mismanagement involving Wangchuk’s non-profit organisations. Sources indicate that these NGOs may have breached the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, including receiving foreign funds without the proper licences and failing to disclose multiple bank accounts and donations. Reports suggest that donations to HIAL rose sharply from ₹6 crore in 2023-24 to over ₹15 crore in 2024-25, with some transfers remaining unexplained and raising concerns about possible diversion into personal accounts.

The movement and the escalation

Sonam Wangchuk has been at the forefront of a campaign demanding statehood for Ladakh and the inclusion of the region under the constitutional Sixth Schedule, which offers tribal autonomy and environmental protections. What began as a prolonged hunger strike eventually escalated into large-scale protests led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), turning violent on Wednesday.

During the unrest, four people lost their lives, while more than 80 individuals were injured, including 40 police officers. Protesters set fire to a BJP office, damaged a police vehicle, and torched several private cars, prompting authorities to impose a strict curfew across Leh district.

Underlying causes: Youth frustration and longstanding grievances

According to Wangchuk, the unrest reflects deep-seated frustrations, particularly among Ladakh’s youth, who have faced six years of unemployment and unmet promises. He accused the government of portraying partial achievements in job reservations as successes, while neglecting key demands like statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, which are crucial for the region’s autonomy and environmental safeguards.

Government response

The Union Home Ministry condemned the violence while highlighting ongoing dialogue with Ladakhi representatives through the High Powered Committee. Officials accused Wangchuk of making provocative statements that fuelled the unrest and suggested that certain politically motivated actors undermined the dialogue process.

Officials have assured that violence will not be tolerated, with further talks scheduled for late September and early October. Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta called the violence a premeditated attempt to disturb public peace and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible.

Appeal for calm and harmony

Amid the tension, Wangchuk has appealed to the people of Ladakh to maintain peace and avoid being influenced by agitators intent on creating chaos. With renewed dialogue in the pipeline, there is hope that a constructive resolution addressing both the political status and economic concerns of the region may be achieved.