Kargil, Oct 12: In a powerful demonstration, hundreds of women representing various social organisations, took to the streets of Leh to register a strong protest against the Union Territory administration’s decision to grant new bar and liquor licences.
Raising slogans to protect Ladakh’s socio-cultural fabric and fragile community life, the protesters demanded an immediate rollback of the excise policy and urged the government to declare Ladakh a completely dry state.
The peaceful protest march saw women from across the district carrying banners and placards as they marched through the central avenues of Leh before assembling for a demonstration. Local leaders, women representatives and civil society members addressed the gathering, expressing serious concern over the commercial expansion of alcohol outlets in the region.
Addressing the crowd, speakers emphasised that the influx of new bar licences, guest house alcohol permissions and commercial outlets threatens the social harmony, youth well-being and peaceful traditional lifestyle of Ladakh.
“The introduction of widespread liquor vends and bar permissions will have a devastating impact on local families and our younger generation. Women are often the first to suffer the social costs of alcohol expansion. We urge the administration to prioritise social responsibility and declare Ladakh a dry state,” said one of the prominent women leaders present at the rally.
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