Kargil seminary wants to shelve new liquor policy, warns of protests

JUIAK is meeting Ladakh Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to make an official representation demanding the withdrawal of the policy and a complete ban on liquor in the region, senior officials said. | Photo credit: ANI

Jamiat Ul Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil (JUIAK), an influential seminary in Ladakh’s Kargil region, on Sunday (7 June 2026) warned of protests if the Lt Governor’s administration failed to withdraw the new excise tax policy.

“If alcohol is allowed to be sold or consumed openly in Kargil, the organization along with the public would be forced to launch democratic and peaceful protests against this move,” said JUIAK Secretary General Sheikh Ibrahim Khalili and Political Representative Sajjad Kargili.

The organization called on religious scholars, community leaders and social organizations to “raise public awareness of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol.”

Demanding “immediate withdrawal of the policy”, JUIAK leaders said, “Promoting the sale of liquor is against the cultural, social and religious values ​​of the people of Ladakh.

They said that liquor has no place in Ladakh society and opening liquor shops under the new policy would have negative consequences for the young generation and the society as a whole. “The introduction of another narcotic cannot be the solution to reducing drug addiction and substance abuse,” they added.

JUIAK is meeting the Ladakh Governor to make an official representation demanding the withdrawal of the policy and a complete ban on liquor in the region, senior officials said.

The administration has introduced a new excise duty policy for the region that will see liquor outlets increase from two to 20, including in remote pockets of Nubra, Changthang, Sham and Zanskar.

Published – 07 June 2026 23:50 IST