Leh, October 31: Women-led protests against Ladakh’s new liquor policy have been temporarily suspended after the Union Territory administration agreed in principle to all demands raised by four organisations and sought a week’s time to formalise the agreement in writing.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced the suspension on Thursday, saying the administration had accepted the demands and requested time to finalise the agreement.
“Ladakh women leaders suspend their protest against liquor. After the UT administration agreed to all demands and sought a week to finalise the agreement. Let’s hope that their trust and faith in the system will be respected,” Wangchuk said in a post on X.
The decision followed a written assurance issued by the UT Home Department on October 29, accepting in principle the points and recommendations submitted by the protesting organisations on the liquor policy. The letter was signed by Special Secretary Tashi Dolma.
Following the assurance, the four organisations suspended their planned dharna from October 29 to November 5, giving the administration an opportunity to formalise the agreed points.
The organisations — Ladakh Buddhist Association Women Wing, Anjuman-e-Imamia Women Wing, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam Women Wing and Christian Community Women Wing — said the administration had sought a week’s time to finalise the agreement in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation.
In a joint press release, they said the temporary suspension of the protest was in response to the administration’s request and should be viewed as an expression of their faith in its assurance.
The women’s groups thanked the people of Ladakh for their support and said they expected the administration to honour its commitment and put the agreed points in writing within the stipulated time.
The protests began last week following the introduction of the new liquor policy, particularly the expansion of liquor availability through recent bar licences and wine shops.
The organisations have been demanding a complete rollback of the policy and the declaration of Ladakh as a dry Union Territory. They have also called for measures to protect young people from alcohol addiction, safeguard the region’s social fabric and preserve its cultural and spiritual values.
Reiterating their position, the organisations said they remained committed to working towards a healthier and alcohol-addiction-free Ladakh.
