Ladakh Women’s Groups Suspend Liquor Policy Protest After Government Assurance: Sonam Wangchuk

TPI Desk | The Pillar IndiaLeh, October 30: Women’s organisations in Ladakh have temporarily suspended their protest against the Union Territory administration’s liquor policy after the government agreed in principle to accept all their demands and sought one week’s time to formalise the agreement, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said.The protest, which began last week, was aimed at demanding a complete rollback of the newly introduced liquor policy and declaring Ladakh a completely dry Union Territory.In a post on X, Wangchuk said the women’s leaders had decided to suspend their agitation after receiving an assurance from the administration that their demands would be accepted. He expressed hope that the government would honour its commitment.The four organisations involved in the agitation are the Ladakh Buddhist Association Women Wing, Anjuman-e-Imamia Women Wing, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam Women Wing and Christian Community Women Wing. They suspended their planned dharna from October 29 to November 5 following a written assurance from the UT administration.The assurance was conveyed through a Home Department letter issued on October 29 and signed by Special Secretary Tashi Dolma, stating that the points and recommendations submitted by the organisations regarding the liquor policy had been accepted in principle.In a joint statement, the organisations said the administration had sought one week’s time to finalise the agreement in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation. They agreed to temporarily suspend the protest to give the government an opportunity to fulfil its commitment and formalise the agreed points in writing.The groups said their decision reflected their confidence in the administration’s assurance and thanked the people of Ladakh for supporting their movement.The agitation was triggered by the expansion of liquor availability in the region, including the recent issuance of bar licences and permissions for wine shops. The organisations have expressed concern that increasing alcohol consumption could adversely affect young people, Ladakh’s social fabric and its cultural and spiritual values.The women’s groups reiterated their commitment to working towards building a healthier and alcohol-addiction-free Ladakh.