Leh: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has come under fire from the All Ladakh Hotels and Bars Association for demanding a total ban on liquor in the Union Territory.
The hotel and bar owners have accused Wangchuk of “hypocrisy” and “double standards”, claiming that an apple wine brand – allegedly manufactured and sold by his family at their ancestral village – continues to operate without the requisite commercial licence.
Association president Namgyal Punchok, specifically questioned how the activist is demanding a ban on liquor when a locally produced apple wine marketed under the name ‘Uley’ or ‘Ule Topo’ is readily available at Uley Ethnic Resort, which he said is owned and operated by Wangchuk’s brother.
The association, in a press conference, 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.
This development occurred after Wangchuk began criticising 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.
He also accused lieutenant governor V K Saxena of “firing alcohol cannons” in the name of fighting drug abuse, in a post on X.
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 It said only one liquor shop was operational in the UT and the 2026-27 excise policy had been withdrawn on August 26 following representations made by people to the lieutenant governor.
Wangchuk joined women campaigning for a dry Ladakh on October 28. 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.
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 association alleged, as reported by News18.
The operation bypasses licensing requirements and fees applicable to other liquor businesses, it added.
Wangchuk also faced criticism for 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.
Legitimate hotel and bar operators contribute approximately Rs 112-115 crore in taxes to the government, the association said.
Licensed businesses provide employment, support tourism and contribute to Ladakh’s economy the association said, accusing Wangchuk of jeopardising the livelihoods of traders through his campaign.
In the press conference that was attended by All 60 members of the association, the UT administration was urged to investigate its allegations against the alleged unlicensed manufacture and sale of ‘Uley’ wine.
The administration was also questioned on 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, however and Wangchuk has not responded to them.
