Srinagar, May 13 (KAT): Several Opposition parties, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), J&K Apni Party and Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have sought a blanket ban on sale of liquor in J&K. They also criticised J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that “no one was dragging youth into consuming liquor”.
Responding to the criticism, Dr. Addullah said, “Alcohol consumption cannot be stopped merely through restrictions. Those who intend to drink would find ways to procure it even if a ban is in place.”
Questioning those who are protesting against liquor shops, Dr. Abdullah said, “Why were they silent when such outlets were being opened across different areas in the past? We did not open liquor shops. Those who opened them are now raising their voices.”
Meanwhile, J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari asked the Omar Abdullah government to take a cue from the Tamil Nadu government. “Tamil Nadu’s newly-elected Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has shown what true public leadership looks like. His decisions clearly reflect the will and emotions of the people who elected him. Just two days after being sworn in as Chief Minister, he ordered the closure of 717 liquor shops located near temples, schools, and bus stands across the state,” said Mr. Bukhari.
He said CM Vijay’s decision should serve as an eye-opener for our government here in Jammu and Kashmir. “Unfortunately, our political parties are indulging in a blame game. The ruling NC says that even the PDP refused to ban liquor when it was in power. That may be true, but it does not mean that the NC, which has received a huge public mandate this time, should also follow PDP’s path,” said Mr. Bukhari.
Kashmir chief cleric the Mirwaiz said Jammu and Kashmir was a Muslim-majority region and alcohol consumption “is socially and religiously discouraged”. “Several states in India with non-Muslim majorities have also imposed restrictions or bans on alcohol due to its damaging impact on society. The first step by the new government in Tamil Nadu was to close down 700 liquor shops,” said the Mirwaiz.
Demanding a complete ban on alcohol, the Mirwaiz said, “The ongoing campaign against drug networks will not yield the desired results if action is not also taken against liquor, which is also destroying families.”(KAT)
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