Ladakh Women Suspend Anti-Liquor Agitation After Administration Agrees to Key Demands

SRINAGAR: After days of street protests in Ladakh over alcohol regulations and the political uncertainty that followed, four major women's organisations have temporarily suspended their agitation against the Union Territory administration's liquor policy. The decision came after the administration provided a written assurance that their concerns would be addressed. Authorities have requested one week's time to complete the necessary formalities and incorporate the agreed provisions into an official policy framework.

The decision follows a communication issued by the Union Territory’s Home Department on October 29, in which the administration accepted in principle the recommendations submitted by the protesting groups regarding the liquor policy. The letter, signed by Special Secretary Tashi Dolma, has been viewed by the women’s organisations as a positive step towards resolving the impasse through dialogue.

Acting on this assurance, the organisations announced the suspension of their planned dharna from October 29 to November 5. In a joint statement, they said the administration had requested seven days to finalise the agreement and complete the required procedures. The groups agreed to temporarily call off the protest to provide the authorities with an opportunity to honour their commitment and formally record the agreed measures.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had vocally supported the agitation, said the women’s leaders had decided to suspend their movement after the administration accepted their demands and sought time to formalise the understanding. Expressing cautious optimism, he said he hoped the administration would uphold the trust reposed in it by the protesting women.

The agitation brought together the Women Wings of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Anjuman-e-Imamia, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam and the Christian Community, reflecting a rare show of unity across religious and social divides. The organisations emphasised that their decision to pause the protest stemmed from confidence in the administration’s assurances and thanked people across Ladakh for the widespread support extended during the movement.

The protests erupted last week amid growing opposition to the administration’s excise policy, particularly concerns over the expansion of alcohol availability through bar licences and liquor-related approvals. Women’s groups argued that easier access to alcohol posed a threat to Ladakh’s youth, social fabric and deeply rooted cultural and spiritual traditions. Their central demand has been the withdrawal of the policy and the declaration of Ladakh as a dry Union Territory.

The issue had triggered an intense public debate in recent days. While women’s organisations, civil society groups and community bodies raised alarm over what they described as the growing presence of alcohol-serving establishments, the administration strongly rejected allegations that it was aggressively promoting liquor in the region. Officials maintained that the proposed Excise Policy 2026-27 had already been rolled back following public objections and that the earlier policy framework had been restored. The administration also disputed claims that liquor outlets were being opened indiscriminately, insisting that licensing decisions were being implemented strictly in accordance with existing regulations.

The controversy gained national attention after Wangchuk publicly criticised the administration’s approach, accusing it of expanding access to alcohol while simultaneously claiming to combat substance abuse. The administration responded by describing several of his assertions as inaccurate and misleading, leading to a sharp exchange between both sides.

Amid the escalating debate, women representatives from Buddhist, Muslim and Christian organisations met senior officials in Leh and pressed for a complete ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in the UT. They argued that Ladakh’s unique cultural ethos, community-based social structure and spiritual heritage warranted stronger safeguards against alcohol-related social problems. Administration officials, while acknowledging these concerns, maintained that any decision on total prohibition would require wider consultations with community organisations, religious bodies, civil society groups and stakeholders linked to the tourism sector.

The the temporary suspension of the dharna and protests, as announced by the women’s organisations, has opened a window for negotiations even though they have made it clear that their larger goal remains unchanged. A spokesperson of these organisations reierated on Friday that they would continue to work towards what she described as a healthier Ladakh, free from alcohol addiction and protected from the social consequences associated with increased alcohol consumption.