Srinagar- A video circulating on social media that shows tourists consuming alcohol while taking a ride on a shikara in the iconic Dal Lake.has sparked controversy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Netizens and religious scholars have condemned the act and are demanding action from the authorities.
“Permitting alcohol inside Dal Lake is a blatant disregard for the cultural and religious principles of Kashmiri people. This is not acceptable at all,” a user posted on X.
The Muttahida Majlise-e-Ulama, an amalgam of religious scholars headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Saturday urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to strictly implement laws banning drinking in public places.
The group asserted that the people of Kashmir are hospitable and respect tourists, but any “un-Islamic” or “unethical” act will not be tolerated.
“The MMU expresses serious concern over a viral video on social media, in which a group of tourists are openly drinking alcohol on a shikara in the Dal Lake. The MMU strongly condemns this act and the fact that it has been allowed to take place in Kashmir,” the amalgam said in a statement.
It questioned why such acts were being allowed given the prohibition in place.
“While public consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited under the law, why and how it has been allowed is a matter of worry,” it added
“The people of Kashmir are hospitable and respect tourists visiting the valley as guests. However, such un-Islamic and unethical practices will not be tolerated in the Muslim majority valley which is the land of saints and Sufis,” it said.
“Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Islam for its disastrous ill effects and deprivation of society cannot be allowed to go unchecked,” it added.
The MMU appealed to hotel owners, houseboat owners and Shikara operators to keep an eye on such “wrongdoings” and stay away from indulging in any “un-Islamic and immoral practice” just to earn a profit.
Chief Spokesperson of National Conference, Tanvir Sadiq said, “Strongly condemn the vulgar acts of tourists drinking alcohol on a Shikara in Dal Lake. Under the garb of “Kashmir Badal Raha Hai,” the government must remember that such behavior is not acceptable here. A modern society doesn’t dance vulgarly in the streets or drink in public.”
“These acts must end under the guise of tourism. The Jammu and Kashmir administration must strictly enforce laws banning public drinking. Our hospitable people respect tourists, but un-Islamic and unethical actions will not be acceptable,” he posted on X.
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