India

Ladakh Administration to Discuss Dry Union Territory Amid Women Protest

By Peerzada Ashiq

Facing women‑led protests in Ladakh over the opening of liquor shops, the Lieutenant Governor administration on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, agreed to discuss declaring Ladakh a dry Union Territory (UT). Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the matter requires “careful deliberation and consultation with all concerned stakeholders.” The L‑G administration held a meeting with representatives of the All Ladakh Gompa Association, Ladakh Buddhist Association, Anjuman Imamia‑Leh, and the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association. The meeting followed a six‑day sit‑in by local women in Leh who shouted “shame, shame” and carried placards reading “Don’t trade public health for government revenue,” demanding the rollback of the “liberal liquor policy.” On May 31, the L‑G administration had introduced a new liquor license policy that increased retail outlets from two to 20 and extended sales to remote pockets such as Nubra, Changthang, Sham, and Zanskar. The policy also allowed consumption of liquor within hotel rooms, simplified licensing procedures by reducing required documents from 16 to 6, and removed the requirement for district administration approval for licences. Kundra said the civil society meeting provided an opportunity for representatives to present their views and underscored the need for continued engagement and dialogue toward a balanced and informed consideration of the issue. He added that the administration was flexible and would be amenable to a middle‑ground solution, and that another meeting with a larger set of stakeholders could be convened soon. Kundra noted that complete prohibition in states like Bihar and Haryana has led to serious consequences, including the proliferation of spurious liquor and drugs. He said declaring Ladakh a dry territory would have cultural, employment, tourism, and economic implications and that consultation with the hotel industry is crucial, given tourism is the primary economic activity in the territory. He called for 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. Meanwhile, an official spokesman said the representatives of Ladakh groups were informed that “in response to public sentiment, the Excise Policy 2026–27 had been rolled back and now the Excise Policy 2025–26 is in force.” Officials disclosed that this year only one retail vendor was functional and the number of functional bars attached to restaurants offering retail sale of liquor, which had been 23, had increased by 17 newly issued licences, taking the total to 40. Published – October 28, 2026 01:20 am IST