Sonam Wangchuk Cries 'Witch-Hunt' As CBI Probes FCRA Violations In His NGO

After the CBI initiated an inquiry into alleged FCRA violations by Sonam Wangchuk's NGO Himalayan Institute of Advance Learning (HIAL), the climate activist accused the Centre of a "witch-hunt". Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Wangchuk stated that his NGO did not receieve foreign funding, and questioned the timing of the investigation which comes amid protests in Ladakh. The CBI has said that the preliminary enquiry was initiated two months ago."A day after Leh protests, the Home Ministry of India issued a press release naming Sonam Wangchuk in it and blaming 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," Wangchuk told ANI. "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.

Also Read: MHA Cancels FCRA Licence of Sonam Wangchuk's NGO With 'Immediate Effect'

Ladakh protests turn violent

After violence escalated in Leh, MHA issued a statement blaming Wangchuk. "It is clear that the mob was incited by Shri Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements. Incidentally, amidst these violent developments, he broke his fast and left for his village in an ambulance without making serious efforts to control the situation"."In spite of many leaders urging him to call off the hunger strike, he continued with the hunger strike and misled the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protests and references to Gen-Z protests in Nepal," MHA said.

Also Read: Arab Spring in Leh? Sonam Wangchuk Confronted as MHA Links Him to Ladakh Violence | WATCH A fresh round of talks is scheduled between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, comprising members of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, on October 6. So far, four people have died and 50 have been injured in the protests.