Ladakh women’s group slams liquor sale nod, warns of stir

SRINAGAR: The women’s wing of Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), one of the region’s largest religious organisations with a strong grassroots presence, has criticised the Union territory’s move to allow liquor sales, arguing it could aggravate social problems and warning of demonstrations if it is not reconsidered.

LBA’s women’s wing called for strengthening efforts against drug trafficking by targeting supply chains rather than expanding legal alcohol access. The liquor sales were allowed under a new excise policy approved on May 31 by Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to curb “growing dependence on narcotics and drugs and giving people a wider choice of low alcoholic content liquor in Ladakh region”.

Only beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages were permitted so far for retail sales through vends, except in Leh where there was no partial prohibition. Twenty liquor vends are to be opened under the new policy, up from only two now in Leh.

The LBA women’s wing pointed out that Ladakh has limited entry and exit points -- primarily Leh airport, Manali-Leh highway, and Srinagar-Leh highway. “Enhanced surveillance could significantly curb the inflow of narcotics and illicit substances into the region,” the wing said in a statement.

The reasoning that increased alcohol availability could serve as a substitute for drugs is illogical and one social problem cannot be solved by introducing another, the LBA wing argued.

Increased availability of alcohol would have severe long-term social and economic consequences for Ladakh, particularly for its youth, the LBA wing said. It warned of a rise in domestic violence, increased road accidents, greater pressure on law enforcement agencies, adverse impacts on children’s psychological well-being, rising crime rates and escalating rehabilitation and healthcare costs for the govt if liquor sales are allowed.

According to the LBA wing, women have been at the forefront of preserving Ladakh’s social fabric by keeping the dowry system from taking root in the region, leading campaigns against plastic bags and creating awareness against drugs and alcohol. If the liquor concerns are ignored, women would launch peaceful protests, including rallies and voluntary market shutdowns to thwart a policy detrimental to the region’s social and cultural well-being, the LBA wing said.

A govt statement on the new policy said its approval followed meetings with civil society organisations, NGOs, religious organisations, medical experts, public representatives and officials in recent months. Under the policy, consumption of liquor has also been permitted within hotels, while guest houses and homestays can obtain licences to sell liquor for the first time.