CBI Targets Wangchuk's School Amid Ladakh Political Unrest

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a formal inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), the innovative educational institution founded by renowned Ladakh-based activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk. Officials confirmed that while no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered as yet, the probe—initiated on a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs—has been underway for several weeks and is intensifying amid escalating political unrest in the region.

Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee celebrated for his groundbreaking work in sustainable education and environmental conservation, has been at the forefront of Ladakh's push for greater autonomy. Speaking exclusively to PTI, he described the CBI's visit to HIAL and the affiliated Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) about 10 days ago as part of a broader pattern of governmental harassment. "The CBI team arrived with an order citing FCRA non-compliance for receiving foreign funds," Wangchuk explained. "But we aren't reliant on foreign donations—we export our indigenous knowledge and generate revenue through legitimate service agreements. In three specific cases, they've misconstrued these as illicit contributions."

The disputed transactions, according to Wangchuk, involved collaborations with prestigious international entities: sharing expertise on sustainable Himalayan practices with the United Nations, a Swiss university, and an Italian non-profit organization. "These were dignified, value-driven assignments where we exported Indian innovation, and all taxes were duly remitted to the government," he asserted. "The CBI initially focused on 2022-2024 records as per their mandate but soon expanded to 2021 and even 2020, demanding documents from SECMOL and another unrelated school providing free education to underprivileged Ladakhi youth. At HIAL, students receive stipends for hands-on projects, not foreign aid."

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CBI teams remain stationed in Ladakh, meticulously scrutinizing financial statements, ledgers, and operational records. Wangchuk noted that investigators have yet to question him directly, but their presence has disrupted ongoing educational initiatives. "They're camping out, poring over every detail—it's exhaustive, but transparent," he said. This scrutiny comes against the backdrop of Wangchuk's high-profile 15-day hunger strike, which he abruptly ended on September 24 following unprecedented violence in Leh—the worst since 1989. Enraged youths, protesting unfulfilled promises for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and full statehood, torched the BJP headquarters, the Hill Council office, and several police vehicles. Tear gas shells were deployed to quell the arson and vandalism, leaving the cold desert region in shock.

Wangchuk, who inspired the 2013 Bollywood hit 3 Idiots with his real-life pashmina revolution for nomad communities, attributes the unrest to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) alleged "U-turns" on 2019 and 2020 electoral pledges. "Youth frustration stems from joblessness, broken promises, and administrative overreach," he told reporters in a virtual press conference. "My Gandhian fast was meant to channel that peacefully, but the government's delays pushed some to desperation. Nobody anticipated this escalation—it's heartbreaking."

The FCRA probe isn't isolated; Wangchuk alleges a multi-pronged assault on his activism. It follows a sedition case filed by local police, the abrupt revocation of HIAL's land lease—despite documented delays in policy formation that the administration had previously excused—and summons from the Income Tax Department. "Ladakh has no income tax, yet I'm summoned for voluntary filings. They've even revived a four-year-old labor complaint. It's guns blazing from all sides," he lamented. Critics, including civil society groups and the Leh Apex Body, view these actions as politically motivated to silence dissent ahead of October's Hill Council elections. "Wangchuk's influence threatens the status quo," said a local activist. "Probing his transparent school while ignoring corruption charges against officials reeks of vendetta."

HIAL, envisioned as an alternative university blending Ladakhi wisdom with modern sustainability, empowers students through fee-free programs focused on climate resilience—ironic amid accusations of foreign meddling. SECMOL, its grassroots counterpart, has revolutionized education for thousands of underprivileged children since 1988, boasting alumni in top global institutions. Supporters argue the probe distracts from Ladakh's core grievances: protecting fragile ecosystems, preserving Buddhist cultural identity post-Article 370 abrogation, and securing job reservations.

As CBI digs deeper, the inquiry could ripple beyond Ladakh, spotlighting FCRA's stringent rules on NGOs amid India's evolving civil society landscape. For Wangchuk, it's personal: "They can probe us, but investigate the administration too. Ladakh deserves dialogue, not division." With tensions simmering and elections looming, the activist's resolve—and the region's future—hangs in the balance, underscoring the high stakes of blending activism with autonomy in one of India's most remote frontiers.

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