The upcoming Assembly session in Jammu and Kashmir is set to see heated debates over private bills, seeking a blanket ban on alcohol in the Muslim majority Himalayan region.
Three legislators—one each from People’s Democratic Party (PDP), National Conference (NC) and Awami Ittehad Party—submitted separate bills with the Assembly secretariat, proposing to proscribe the sale of liquor.
The submission of bills has already sparked a controversy with NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq locking horns with separatist leader and influential Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Sadiq’s statement about consulting stakeholders, citing Kashmir’s status as a tourist destination, before imposing a liquor barn, elicited sharp criticism from Mirwaiz.
He said that the National Conference leader was using tourism as cover to justify the liquor sale.
Mirwaiz’s criticism spurred Sadiq to come up with clarifications, saying that he (Sadiq) is not in favour of liquor sale.
Valley’s liquor ban row
Kashmir’s tryst with the liquor ban controversy has been longstanding. In 1982, scores of activists of Peoples League, a pro-Pakistan outfit launched an agitation against the liquor sale in the Valley and opening of a new outlet in Anantnag. The members of League fought pitched battles with police, leaving more than 60 people injured .
In 1988, legislators from Islamist Muslim United Front introduced a private bill member’s in the Assembly, advocating for the prohibition of liquor. The bill, however, ultimately failed to pass.
In 2022, the government’s approval to the sale of beer at departmental stores evoked sharp criticism from non-BJP parties in the region. These political parties argued that the move would lead to increased alcohol addiction among youth.
Liquor revenue
Jammu and Kashmir has seen a quantum jump in liquor sales, rising from ₹999.55 crore to ₹2486.34 crore over the last one decade.
According to the National Family Health Survey, 10.5 per cent of men and 0. 2 per cent of women consume liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.
There are presently six distilleries, 12 bottling plants and three breweries—all located in Jammu.
On February 15, the Excise Department of Jammu and Kashmir issued a notice for the e -auctioning of 305 liquor vends ( off-premises).
Prithvi Raj, prominent Jammu based businessman and former general secretary Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu said that the liquor ban would severely impact the revenue generation. “The government should focus raising awareness about the alcoholism instead of banning it,” he said.
A signature campaign
On Friday, PDP leader Iltija Mufti announced to launch a three-hour long on Saturday signature campaign to garner support for the party’s liquor ban bill.
“Alcohol & drugs is wrecking lives & families in J&K. We must come together to put an end to it before it’s too late,” Iltija wrote on X.
Interestingly, BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh made it clear that he would support any such bill that proscribes liquor.
