Srinagar- There is a growing clamour for declaring Jammu and Kashmir a dry state as at least three MLAs have submitted private members’ bills for banning alcohol in the Union Territory.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Kupwara Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) legislator from Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad and ruling National Conference (NC) MLA from Lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi have submitted separate private members’ bills for a ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir.
The bills will be tabled in the forthcoming session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, which will meet in Jammu for the budget session from March 3.
“Alcohol consumption is ravaging lives across Jammu and Kashmir and presents a grave threat to the very fabric of our society. Since 2019 the issue has been compounded by its easy availability because of the mushrooming of liquor stores. Kudos to PDP MLA @MirMohdFayaz for introducing a private (member’s) bill seeking a ban on alcohol consumption. Much needed,” PDP leader Iltija Mufti said in a post on X.
“Liquor has no place in our spiritually rich society. A land known as ‘Reshwa’er’ (the land of saints) should not be tainted by alcohol trade. Since 2009 Er Rashid has been fighting against this menace and AIP remains steadfast in its mission to declare Jammu and Kashmir a dry state,” a spokesperson of the party, led by Sheikh Abdul Rashid or Engineer Rashid, said in a post on X.
He said the AIP is also spearheading a move to ban online gaming, which has led to financial and emotional ruin for countless families.
“Unregulated online gaming has pushed many young people into gambling addiction and debt. This must be curbed before it causes more devastation,” he added.
Pardesi also took to social media to announce that he has submitted a private member’s bill seeking a ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The unchecked sale of alcohol disregards the religious and cultural ethos of Kashmir. Our heritage has always stood against intoxicants, and this bill is a step toward preserving those values,” he said.
Politicians Extend Support
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Nirmal Singh, has voiced strong support for proposed legislation aimed at banning alcohol across the Union Territory.
His support comes in the wake of bills introduced by legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC), seeking to curb the sale, consumption, and promotion of alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Nirmal Singh said, “I fully support the bill advocating for a ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has never supported alcohol consumption, and wherever our government is in power, we have taken strong measures against it,” he said.
Dr. Singh highlighted the growing awareness in Kashmir regarding the adverse effects of alcohol but stressed the need for similar consciousness in the Jammu division. “If there are restrictions in Kashmir, why not in Jammu? The open sale and use of alcohol near schools, temples, and mosques is a serious threat to our society. Alcohol has destroyed families, and unfortunately, women are the worst victims,” he added.
Addressing concerns about the economic impact on businesses dependent on alcohol sales in Jammu, Dr. Nirmal Singh dismissed such arguments, stating, “If we justify the business of alcohol, then what stops us from legalizing drugs? Both are harmful, and there must be strict restrictions. The health and well-being of our people are far more important than commercial interests.”
Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Congress MLA from Bandipora, on Wednesday said that the party considers liquor as a social evil and that they will assess the contents of the proposed bill when it is formally proposed in the assembly.
Addressing reporters in Bandipora, Bhat said the bill proposed by National Conference MLA Ahsan Pardesi calling for a liquor ban is a private members’ bill, rather than an official proposal from the National Conference.
“This is not a National Conference bill; it is most likely a private member’s bill. It remains to be seen whether or not the bill will be passed. It is within the jurisdiction of the Speaker and the Assembly Secretariat, and they will examine it,” Bhat stated.
CPI(M) senior leader and MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami, has said that the numbers are not a problem for the liquor bill to become law in the Assembly.
“We don’t have our own constitution and we can’t amend the constitution of India so the liquor ban bill requires only a simple majority to pass in the Assembly. It is not a constitutional amendment. The numbers don’t seem to be a problem for the bill to become law,” Tarigami told Greater Kashmir.
Tarigami however said that it needs to be seen whether the bill will be introduced in the upcoming session of Assembly. “There is a set procedure and the procedure is that the bill is first introduced and then put up for discussion before being put to vote. If the bill will be in the business of the House in the upcoming Assembly session, we need to see how the government replies to it. But when it comes to numbers and voting, I don’t think that there would be a problem,” he said.
Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP) senior leader and chairperson Waqf J&K Dr Darakhshan Andrabi also supported introducing a bill in the assembly seeking a ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.
“If law is implemented, it will be a good step,” BJP leader said.
“We need to protect young people from drug abuse, stressing that efforts should be made to keep them away from such harmful substances,” she added.
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