Centre’s decision to liberalise liquor sales in Ladakh, lift ban in Lakshadweep draws criticism

The Union government’s recent decision to liberalise the sale of liquor in Ladakh and end the ban in Lakshadweep has sparked criticism.

In Ladakh, the Ladakh Buddhist Association has opposed the new policy, saying that it wants a “safe, healthy and drug-free future” for the Union Territory, The Hindu reported. The Jamiat Ul Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil also opposed the decision and demanded an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of liquor.

Muslim-majority Lakshadweep has long supported prohibition, where it has been in force since 1979. “Residents and civil society groups have repeatedly opposed attempts to liberalise liquor regulations, arguing that such measures are being imposed without the consent of local communities,” Maktoob Media reported.

Opposition in Ladakh

The liberalised policy approved by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on May 30 permits the sale of hard liquor. This would include foreign liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor. Earlier, only beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages were permitted for retail sale through shops.

The administration said this had been done “to strengthen regulation, curb illicit trade and support tourism by giving wider choice to people for consumption in a regulated manner”.

The policy also allows liquor shops to be set up in guest houses and homestays. Earlier, only hotels were permitted to serve liquor.

The administration will now allow the setting up of 20 liquor vends instead of the two that were operational in the Union Territory.

Earlier, liquor could only be consumed in bars. Under the new rules, alcohol consumption will be allowed within the premises of hotels, including rooms.

The Ladakh Buddhist Association said that the new policy was “a serious threat to the region’s social fabric, youth welfare and future generations”, The Hindu reported.

It demanded that the notification for new liquor licenses be immediately withdrawn and urged the administration to retain the existing excise framework.

The association’s youth wing leader Jigmet Rafstan said that the administration should not transform Ladakh into “another Goa or Delhi”, The Statesman reported.

Jamiat Ul Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil General Secretary Sheikh Ibrahim Khalili and the political head Sajjad Kargili expressed concerns about the administration’s decision, stating that the promotion of liquor sales is against the cultural, social and religious values of the people of Ladakh.

The new excise policy would have “negative consequences for the younger generation and society at large”, they said.

They also warned that the public would launch “democratic and peaceful protests” against the decision if liquor is allowed to be sold or consumed openly in Kargil.

Lakshadweep ends prohibition

The administration in Lakshadweep on Friday cleared the 2026 Lakshadweep Excise Regulation that repealed the 1979 Lakshadweep Prohibition Regulation, ending a framework that banned alcohol in the Muslim-majority archipelago for 47 years except in some tourist resorts.

Under the new framework, the administration can issue licences and permits for the import, export, manufacture, sale and purchase of liquor, Maktoob reported.

It also permits firms owned by the government to obtain licences for importing and selling alcohol.

In February, the administration issued an order to allow liquor in eight government-run guest houses.

Lakshadweep MP Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed had said at the time that the order was unacceptable and that it be withdrawn, The Hindu reported.

Sayeed noted that liquor shops had been permitted on four islands in 2021 to promote tourism and said that extending liquor distribution would increase alcohol addiction among the youth.

Edited by Tanya Shrivastava.