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As the demand for a ban on alcohol grows stronger in Kashmir, Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took a significant step on Saturday by launching a signature campaign to support the prohibition. Her efforts align with three legislators who have submitted private bills in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, calling for a complete ban on alcohol sales in the region.
The private bills were submitted by PDP legislator Fayaz Mir from Kupwara, Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh from Langate representing the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and Ahsan Pardesi from the National Conference (NC). This move has also garnered support from traders in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir who are demanding an alcohol ban.
Political and Public Support for the Ban
Iltija Mufti, while initiating the signature campaign from the PDP office, urged all political parties, including the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to back the initiative. She emphasized the need for collective action to protect the youth from the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs.
“Our member from Kupwara, Fayaz Mir, has moved a bill in the J&K Assembly seeking a ban on the sale of alcohol. Kashmir is known as the Valley of Saints, so I request other political parties, be it PC, NC, or BJP, to support this bill as drugs and alcohol are ruining our young generations,” Iltija said while addressing the media, accompanied by several PDP leaders and party workers.
Initially, the PDP planned to launch the campaign from Sher-e-Kashmir Park, but police did not allow party workers to operate inside the park.
Iltija Urges Police to Take Action Against Alcohol Like Drugs
While appreciating the police’s efforts in tackling drug-related issues, Iltija urged them to take similar action against alcohol consumption.
“Police should act the same way against the use of alcohol as they have been doing against drug abuse across J&K,” she stated. “If states like Bihar and Gujarat can enforce prohibition, then why can’t Jammu and Kashmir become a dry state as well?”
On Friday, traders in Lal Chowk and other markets displayed hoardings and banners calling for a ban on alcohol sales. However, the police later removed these banners, leading to further controversy.
Criticism Over Police Action
The removal of banners sparked criticism from various quarters, including Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He questioned the police’s actions, saying there was nothing wrong with urging tourists to respect local culture and refrain from alcohol and drug use.
“Why was this signboard seized? What exactly is wrong with urging tourists to respect local culture, avoid alcohol and drug use, and keep the city clean? Shopkeepers of Lal Chowk informed me about this. Is promoting moral values and decency now a crime in Kashmir?” Mirwaiz posted on X.
Srinagar MP Calls for Police to Act in Public Interest
Senior NC leader and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah also questioned the police’s actions, suggesting they were suppressing local voices.
“Even appealing to tourists to respect local sensitivities is now illegal in Kashmir. Will @JmuKmrPolice clarify which law was violated by the signboard? Or is the only law in place the one that silences Kashmiris?” Ruhullah asked in a strongly-worded post on X.
He further accused the administration of turning Kashmir into an “Orwellian nightmare,” where people are unable to protest or preserve their cultural identity.
“Kashmiris, like any other society in this country, have the right to preserve and protect their culture and faith. @JmuKmrPolice is advised to not work like a colonial power but to work and behave as a local police force guided by law and respectful to the community and its sensitivities,” he wrote.
Legislators Divided Over Alcohol Ban
Following the submission of private member bills calling for a ban, a major controversy erupted when Tanvir Sadiq, J&K National Conference Chief Spokesman and legislator, remarked that stakeholders in the hotel and tourism industry should be consulted before making any decision. He pointed out that even in Muslim-majority countries, alcohol sales are not completely banned.
However, after facing public backlash on social media, Sadiq retracted his statement and later expressed his support for an alcohol ban.
One of the key arguments against the alcohol ban is the revenue generated for the Jammu and Kashmir government through alcohol sales. The state earns a significant amount of revenue from alcohol, and some believe that a ban could affect the local economy, particularly in the tourism sector.
