“Liquor not essential for Tourism”: Hakeem Yaseen slams Pro-alcohol statements in J&K
Ubaid Mehdi
Srinagar 16 Feb (KB): Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has strongly criticized some political leaders’ recommendations that the ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir is not feasible due to the state’s tourism dependence. Condemning such claims as “deeply hurtful” to religious sentiments, Yaseen reaffirmed that alcohol promotion is against Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual ethos referred to as the “Peer Vaer” (land of saints and seers).
In a statement on Sunday, Yaseen wondered why liquor sale could be banned in states such as Gujarat and Mizoram but could not be regarded as necessary to boost tourism in J&K. “Why can’t Jammu and Kashmir do without liquor while Gujarat has done well?” he asked. “Politicians, including spokespersons of a major political party, have tried to defend the sale of alcohol by pointing to the tourism culture in Arab nations. Such irresponsible statements have hurt the feelings of the people, particularly the Muslim community, and the people who made such statements must make an unconditional apology.“
Yaseen also condemned successive governments for putting the generation of revenue ahead of the religious and cultural heritage of Kashmir. “Sale of liquor in J&K has turned into a profitable income source for regimes, setting aside the spiritual heritage of the state. No government has ever dared to put an absolute ban since 1947, although several legislators have made attempts to bring resolutions and bills on this issue.”
His statement is given amid a prolonged row on whether the restrictions on liquor should be tightened in J&K. While some believe that regulated sale of liquor would boost tourism and the economy of the state, others say it would erode the religious and moral fibre of the state.
The incident has once again reopened calls from religious groups and conservative sections of society for a total prohibition on the sale of liquor in Jammu and Kashmir. It is argued by many that promotion of alcohol consumption in the guise of tourism is an attempt to commodify the state at the cost of its values.
With assembly elections soon, the question of liquor might become a divisive issue, pitting political parties’ positions on religious and cultural sentiments. Whether the administration comes firmly in one way or stays in the middle path remains to be seen. (KB)
