Ladakh Protests: Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO Licence Cancelled
Ladakh protests Sonam Wangchuk have reached a critical moment as thousands rally across Leh and Kargil demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards. The unrest comes amid a major setback for the activist, whose NGO recently lost its foreign funding licence over alleged FCRA violations.
Leh, September 25, 2025
Ladakh is once again on edge. Thousands have taken to the streets demanding statehood and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule. Tensions rose sharply this week in Leh and Kargil. Authorities imposed curfews after protests turned confrontational in some areas.
Amid this growing unrest, the Centre has cancelled the foreign funding licence of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the move on Wednesday. Officials said the NGO violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) on multiple counts.
Protest Roots: A Push for Statehood
Ladakh’s political crisis began in August 2019. The government revoked Article 370 and split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Ladakh became a UT without a legislature.
Locals welcomed the separation at first. But the absence of local governance soon raised alarm. People feared losing control over land, jobs, and environmental decisions.
Two groups, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), formed to push back. They demanded statehood and protection under the Sixth Schedule. This would give tribal communities more power over local resources and land.
Talks with the Centre have failed to yield results. Frustration continues to grow on the ground.
Sonam Wangchuk’s Rising Voice
Sonam Wangchuk has played a key role in the movement. He is a respected innovator and educator who founded institutions like SECMOL and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL).
Over the past year, Wangchuk’s activism has increased. He led hunger strikes, marches, and peaceful protests. His most recent action was a 35-day climate fast that drew national attention.
Many in Ladakh see him as a symbol of their fight for rights and recognition.
The Foreign Funding Controversy
The government now accuses Wangchuk’s NGO of serious FCRA violations. Officials say the group received foreign funds without proper classification. They also allege irregularities in financial records and compliance failures.
In response, the Ministry cancelled the NGO’s FCRA licence. This blocks it from receiving any more foreign donations.
Wangchuk denies the charges. He says the funds came from legitimate service contracts with international universities and organisations. These included a Swiss university and UN agencies. He also says the NGO paid all taxes and followed Indian laws.
In a public video, Wangchuk called the cancellation “an attempt to silence peaceful voices in Ladakh.”
What’s Next for the Ladakh Movement?
The licence cancellation comes at a critical time. Protests are growing. The region’s political leaders say the government is targeting voices that challenge it.
Civil society groups fear this could set a dangerous precedent. Blocking foreign funds may weaken local initiatives that depend on external support.
However, the move may also unite protestors further. Many now see the crackdown as part of a larger effort to suppress the Ladakhi identity and demand for autonomy.
As the situation unfolds, pressure is building on the Centre to re-open dialogue. Whether the government chooses confrontation or conversation remains to be seen.
Learn more about India’s FCRA regulations and their impact on NGOs.
A seasoned journalist with over 30 years of rich and diverse experience in print and electronic media, her professional stints include working with Sahara English Magazine and JAIN TV and All India Radio. She has also produced several documentary films through her self-owned production house Gajpati Communications. She is also the Station Director of Aligarh based FM Radio Station, and the General Secretary of WADA NGO.
