Srinagar, Oct 27: The protest by various women organisations against the liquor policy in Leh entered its sixth day on Tuesday, with protesters blocking the highway after the first round of talks with the administration failed to reach an agreement.
In a powerful demonstration, hundreds of women representing various social, religious 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. 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.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired a meeting with women representatives of various religious organisations including LBA to discuss issues relating to excise policy. The meeting was also attended by Romil Singh Donk, Excise Commissioner, UT Ladakh, representative of All Ladakh Gompa Association, president, Ladakh Buddhist Association, president Anjuman Imamia, Leh and representatives of ALGAHA and ALTOA including others.
During the meeting, the women representatives put forth their views and concerns while demanding complete prohibition of liquor in Ladakh, highlighting the social and cultural considerations associated with the issue. They expressed concern over the large number of bar licenses issued.
The meeting was informed that, in response to public sentiment, the Excise Policy 2026–27 had been rolled back and now the Excise Policy 2025–26 was in force. The participants were apprised of the status of liquor licences under the reinstated policy. It was informed that the number of retail liquor vends was two till last year but this year only one retail vend was functional. Similarly, the number of functional bars attached to restaurants offering retail sale of liquor, which was earlier 23, had increased by 17 newly issued licences, taking the total to 40.
The Chief Secretary acknowledged the concerns expressed by the women representatives and emphasised the importance of giving due consideration to the views and sentiments of the people of Ladakh. He observed that the demand for declaring Ladakh a completely dry UT was a significant matter that required careful deliberation and consultation with all concerned stakeholders for which all agreed to.
He cited the experience of other states like Bihar and Haryana where complete prohibition had led to serious consequences of spurious liquor and drugs being proliferated. He suggested that this was also a cultural issue and the community needed careful consideration of the consequences of declaring Ladakh as a dry territory.
“There are also issues of employment, tourism and economic activity and consultation with the hotel industry is also crucial in this regard, particularly given that tourism is the primary economic activity in the territory,” he said.
He stated that any decision on the matter would need to be taken through a broad-based consultative process involving religious organisations, hotel associations, tour and travel operators’ associations, and other relevant stakeholders, keeping in view the social, cultural and economic dimensions of the issue. He suggested that in the first instance, president LBA should convene a wider consultation and build consensus on the way forward, with an endeavour to find a middle ground.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the importance of constructive dialogue and mutual understanding in addressing the concerns raised by the women representatives while ensuring that the perspectives of all affected stakeholders are duly considered.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the representatives to present their views and underscored the need for continued engagement and dialogue towards a balanced and informed consideration of the issue.
He also assured that the administration was flexible in its approach of public policy and would be amenable to a middle path solution in the matter. If required another meeting with a larger set of stakeholders would be convened soon.
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