Clamour for ban on liquor grows as PDP launches signature campaign

With several political parties backing the call for a liquor ban in Jammu and Kashmir, the demand for making J&K a dry state is growing in the Valley.

On Saturday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched a signature campaign to press for a ban on alcohol in the Union Territory. PDP leader Iltija Mufti initiated the campaign from the party office in Srinagar.

Speaking to reporters, Mufti said that drugs and alcohol were spreading like wildfire in J&K, emphasising that the issue was not political but social. She also urged other political parties to support the bill on banning alcohol, which has been submitted by her party’s MLA from North Kashmir.

“I hope that the rest of the parties, including the National Conference, People’s Conference, and BJP, come forward and support us on this bill,” she said.

Ahead of the Budget session next month in Jammu, leaders from several Valley-based political parties have submitted private members’ bills advocating for a liquor ban across Jammu and Kashmir.

PDP MLA from North Kashmir, Fayaz Mir, announced that he had submitted a private members’ bill seeking a ban on liquor in J&K. Additionally, the Awami Ittehad Party, led by jailed Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, stated that its MLA, Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, had also submitted a bill demanding a complete alcohol ban. Similarly, Ahsan Pardeshi, an MLA from the ruling National Conference representing Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, announced that he, too, had submitted a bill for a liquor ban.

The National Conference, however, found itself in a difficult position after Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned a statement by National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, who had linked the issue with tourism in J&K. Under pressure, Sadiq later reversed his stance, supporting the liquor ban in a video message, stating, “I am against alcohol. I support a liquor ban.”

Abdul Qayoom Wani, chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Society Forum, said J&K should be declared a “dry state.” “We shouldn’t correlate alcohol with tourism,” he said. “Tourists come here to experience nature, not for alcohol.” He pointed out that several states in India are dry states, and there should be no issue if J&K follows suit. “Those who are politicising this issue should refrain from doing so and instead work towards its implementation,” Wani added.

Rauf Tramboo, president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the tourism sector in J&K should not be linked to alcohol.

“Tourists come here for adventure and leisure. We hardly receive any inquiries about the availability of alcohol. So, we should avoid associating this issue with tourism,” he said, adding, “Everyone should respect the local sentiments on this matter.”