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Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has emerged as one of the prominent critics of the administration’s liquor policy in Ladakh
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been demanding a complete ban on liquor sales in Ladakh.
The controversy over liquor sales in Ladakh has taken a fresh turn, with the All Ladakh Hotels and Bars Association accusing climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of “hypocrisy” and “double standards” over his campaign for a liquor-free Ladakh.
Addressing a press conference in Leh, the association alleged that while Wangchuk has been demanding a complete ban on liquor sales in the Union Territory, an apple wine brand – allegedly manufactured and sold by his family at their ancestral village – continues to operate without the requisite commercial licence.
The association, led by its president Namgyal Punchok, specifically questioned the manufacture and sale of locally produced apple wine marketed under the name ‘Uley’ or ‘Ule Topo’ at Uley Ethnic Resort, which it said is owned and operated by Wangchuk’s brother.
It alleged that the business was being allowed to operate without the licences and regulatory clearances required of other liquor establishments. It also questioned why the administration had not taken action against the alleged unlicensed operation while legitimate, tax-paying hotel and bar businesses were facing criticism.
HOW DID THE LIQUOR SALES ROW ESCALATE?
Wangchuk has emerged as one of the prominent critics of the administration’s liquor policy in Ladakh.
At a press conference at Ladakh Bhavan in Delhi on October 22, he alleged that alcohol was being forcibly promoted in the Union Territory, with bars allegedly being opened near residential areas and educational institutions.
In a post on X, Wangchuk also accused Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of “firing alcohol cannons” in the name of fighting drug abuse. The administration, however, rejected his allegations as “baseless”, describing them as a deliberate campaign of misinformation. It said only one liquor shop was operational in the UT and the 2026-27 excise policy had been withdrawn on August 26 following representations made by people to the Lieutenant Governor.
On October 28, Wangchuk joined women campaigning for a dry Ladakh. During the same visit, he also advocated tax exemptions for local breweries. The association has now questioned what it described as a contradiction in Wangchuk’s position, asking why locally produced apple wine allegedly associated with his family should be treated differently from liquor businesses operating under commercial licences.
It alleged that locally produced apple wine, marketed as ‘Ule Topo’ or ‘Uley Tokpo Apple Homemade Wine’, is manufactured and sold at the family-run resort in Uleytokpo, Wangchuk’s native village along the Indus River. The operation bypasses licensing requirements and fees applicable to other liquor businesses, it added.
The association further accused Wangchuk of selectively supporting traditional alcoholic beverages such as Chang while campaigning against licensed liquor establishments. Questioning what it called selective activism, the traders further alleged that Wangchuk had remained silent on other environmental and economic issues, including the ecological impact of the local meat industry, while repeatedly targeting the licensed liquor trade.
TRADERS CLAIM RS 112-115 CRORE TAX CONTRIBUTION
Defending their businesses, the association said legitimate hotel and bar operators contribute approximately Rs 112-115 crore in taxes to the government.
It said licensed businesses provide employment, support tourism and contribute to Ladakh’s economy, and accused Wangchuk of jeopardising the livelihoods of traders through his campaign.
All 60 members of the association were present at the press conference. They urged the UT administration to investigate its allegations against the alleged unlicensed manufacture and sale of ‘Uley’ wine and questioned the apparent lack of regulatory action. It also warned Wangchuk against targeting legally operating, tax-paying businesses in the name of moral prohibition, insisting that the same rules and regulations should apply to everyone.
The allegations made by the association have not been independently established. Wangchuk and his family should be given an opportunity to respond to the specific claims regarding the manufacture, licensing and sale of ‘Uley’ wine.
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Ask News18The association accused Sonam Wangchuk of hypocrisy regarding his campaign for a dry Ladakh, alleging that his family operates an unlicensed apple wine business named ‘Uley’ or ‘Ule Topo’ at their ancestral resort without proper commercial permits and regulatory clearances.
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A defence journalist, Tejinder Singh Sodhi has the distinction of being the only Indian civilian to have studied at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
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