Stiff opposition forces J&K Adm to drop its plan to open liquor vendors in Valley
Jammu Tawi, June 21: Facing serious threatening postures of the religious and political parties in Kashmir valley, the J&K Union Territory Administration has today retreated back and said that no list of unserved areas has either been considered or approved for liquor sale points in the Union Territory.
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday clarified that the finance department has not taken any policy decision regarding issuance of fresh liquor licences in unserved areas after the excise department carried out a survey on liquor sale points. They have gone to the extent of taking U-turn saying that no list of unserved areas has either been considered or approved, said the J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal .
While Kansal insists on the finance department's prior approval and urged people not to believe rumours about opening up of liquor sales points, excise commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir Rajesh Kumar Shaven told that the government has only done a survey about liquor sales points. He said surveys take years to be implemented.
The government released the statement after National Conference and other parties raised objections over liquor sale in the Union Territory. National Conference chief spokesman Ruhullah Mehdi ridiculed the government's clarification statement saying “I hope this denial and clarification is not like those regarding the orders issued in the build-up to August 5 last year. I urge the people in administration not to even consider such plans (if any). Such plans will have serious consequences,” he said.
“History testifies the fact that most of the revolts were triggered less by political issues and more by the issues related to faith and culture. And ultimately took a bigger shape,” Mehdi added.
Religious and political organisations in Kashmir have opposed a reported move to open liquor vends in the Valley, prompting the government to clarify on Sunday that it was not considering any such move.
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of socio-religious organisations, headed by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said any move by the administration to open liquor shops across the length and breadth of the Valley will be strongly opposed and resisted.
“The government order which is widely circulating on social media clearly states the government's plan to set up liquor shops at 67 locations in Kashmir valley. It is causing grave concern and anguish among the Muslims of the valley,” the MMU said in a statement.
It asked the government to immediately withdraw this “immoral and anti-Islam order”. Kashmir is predominantly a Muslim region.
The Finance department of the Union territory, however, said it has not taken any policy decision regarding issuance of fresh liquor licenses in unserved areas.
“No list of unserved areas has either been considered or approved. No decision will be taken without participation of stakeholders and the due process,” it said.
It was reported that the Jammu and Kashmir administration planned to open new liquor shops in the Union territory.
The Apni Party, headed by Altaf Bukhari, also slammed the government over the issue.
The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) said it will not support any such decisions which are bound to endure an onslaught on Kashmir's cultural ethos. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, former legislator and senior leader of the party said the government proposal to open liquor shops at around 183 newly identified locations in J&K including 67 in Kashmir valley is totally unacceptable as the decision is bound to have disastrous consequences for peace in the region.
“Such decisions are highly condemnable. Kashmir is a land of sufis and saints and such obnoxious proposals are mooted to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere,” Manhas said, adding that such government decisions will spread immorality among the local youth, who are already fighting against the drug menace.
“There are other States like Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Mizoram and Lakshadeep which are coping with the lockdown despite a ban on liquor sale and consumption. Why to choose predominantly Muslim areas of Kashmir Valley for opening large scale liquor sale points when there is no such requirement?” he asked.
Congress leader Salman Nizami said that the “BJP's new plan in Kashmir is to engage youth into drugs and alcohol.” He added that “by giving nod to open new wine shops, their aim is to destroy our culture and future.”
The excise department, after a survey, identified 183 new locations, 116 in Jammu and 67 in the Kashmir valley for sale of liquor. The department had sought approval for e-auction of sale points from the finance department. The excise department's letter to the Finance Department in this regard reads, “as per the survey… a total list of 183 locations including 116 in Jammu and 67 in the zones of Kashmir is enclosed.”'
At present, J&K has 224 wine shops with 220 in Jammu and four in Kashmir. Fearing militant threats, the four shops in Kashmir are running from high security zone areas.
As per the documents, the excise department's survey has identified spots and places in south Kashmir's all four districts—Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag. The survey also includes spots for sale points in Srinagar, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Budgam. In 1990, when militancy erupted in the valley, a little known militant group opposed the sale of liquor in the valley and closed liquor shops and sale.
The BJP has been opposed liquor sale in Jammu in the past. In 2018, BJP leader and present president of the party Ravinder Raina had demanded that Jammu and Kashmir be declared a dry state, and alcohol and bars be banned immediately.
The survey and the seeking of approval of the finance department for e-auction of liquor sales-points have come under severe criticism with people taking to social media saying “no to drugs, no to liquor shops.”
