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Sonam Wangchuk denies Union Home Ministry claims of instigating Ladakh protests, calls it a scapegoat tactic, and labels CBI FCRA probe on SECMOL as witch-hunting.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday cancelled the FCRA registration of Wangchuk-led SECMOL (Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), citing multiple violations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. File pic/PTI
Climate activist Sonam Wagnchuk on Thursday dismissed the Union Home Ministry’s allegation that he instigated the recent violent protests in Ladakh, and called it a “scapegoat tactic” in a bid to avoid dealing with the Himalayan region’s core problems.
Responding to the ministry’s statement, which had blamed him for provoking the mob violence in the Union Territory, he said that he is prepared to face arrest under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
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“To say it was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere. They may be clever in making somebody else a scapegoat, but they are not wise. At this time, we all need wisdom rather than ’cleverness’ because youths are already frustrated,” Wangchuk told news agency PTI.
The climate activist, who was on a hunger strike for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, also raised the alarm over his personal safety. Wangchuk warned that sending him to prison may prove more troublesome for the government than allowing him to remain free.
“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, adding, “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.”
Wangchuk said that by employing the “scapegoat tactic,” the government is “not actually taking measures for peace,” but instead taking steps that will “further aggravate” the situation by diverting attention from the people’s core demands.
‘Series Of Witch-Hunting: Wangchuk on CBI Probe
The activist also responded to the CBI probe on his institute for alleged FCRA violations, and said that it is a series of witch-hunting against him.
“I had received a notice about a CBI inquiry stating that your organisation received foreign funding even when it did not have FCRA. We did not get FCRA because we don’t want funds from abroad,” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Leh, Ladakh | Over CBI probe on his institute for alleged FCRA violation, Activist Sonam Wangchuk says, “In the series of witch hunting, yesterday’s events were the last and all blame was put on Sonam Wangchuk.”“A day later (after Leh protests), the Home Ministry of… pic.twitter.com/YtRscAPnx7
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2025
“The United Nations team wanted to take our Passive Solar Heated Building to Afghanistan, and for this, they gave us a fee. We also got fees with tax from Switzerland and Italy organisations for supplying knowledge to them about our artificial glaciers…We are getting I-T summons. In the series of witch hunting, yesterday’s events were the last and all blame was put on Sonam Wangchuk,” he added.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled the FCRA registration of Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), citing multiple violations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010.
MHA’s Allegations Against Wangchuk On Unrest
The latest developments came amid accusations against the activist that he incited a mob that turned violent on Wednesday over the demand for statehood for Ladakh.
At least four people were killed and over 80 were injured after protests demanding statehood turned violent.
The BJP office was vandalised and set on fire, as were several vehicles. Flames and clouds of smoke could be seen from afar, with police resorting to firing and teargas shelling to bring the situation under control.
The Home Ministry has held Wangchuk responsible for “instigating the mob through his provocative speech.” Wangchuk, who had been on a 15-day hunger strike demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, ended his fast shortly after the violence broke out in Leh yesterday.
The Centre alleged that the mob violence was guided by the “provocative statements” of activist Wangchuk, and certain “politically motivated” individuals were not happy with the progress made in the ongoing talks between the representatives of the government and Ladakhi groups.
The Ministry said, barring a few unfortunate incidents that happened early on Wednesday, the situation was brought under control by 4 pm and asked everyone not to circulate old and provocative videos in the media and social media.
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
Ladakh, India, India
September 25, 2025, 19:49 IST
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