SRINAGAR: In a swift response to public outrage, two tourists were arrested for allegedly consuming liquor during a shikara ride on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir’s main tourist hub. The incident came to light after a video showing the act went viral on social media platforms, sparking widespread condemnation from local authorities and residents.
The video, which surfaced over the weekend, depicted a group of tourists drinking alcohol on a shikara, a traditional wooden boat used for leisure activities on the picturesque Dal Lake. This act of public drinking, a violation of local laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public places, led to an uproar among the local community and religious leaders.
“Srinagar Police has taken cognizance after a video of unidentified individuals indulging in offensive behaviour in a shikara in Dal Lake in an inebriated state went viral across social media platforms,” said a police spokesperson in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). A case was promptly registered under relevant sections of law, and two individuals were arrested. “Two accused have been arrested while more suspects are being questioned. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing,” the spokesperson added.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, particularly from civil society and religious leaders who view the act as an affront to the region’s cultural and religious sensibilities. Aga Hadi Kashmiri, a prominent Kashmiri cleric, was one of the first to raise alarm over the incident, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable in the Muslim-majority state. “Kashmir is a Muslim-majority state, and such activities cannot be tolerated in the valley. The law cannot be different for different places,” he stated.
In response to the outcry, shikara drivers have taken proactive measures by installing signboards around Dal Lake to remind tourists that drinking is prohibited in shikaras. “We do not allow or promote such activities. However, some shikara drivers have allowed this activity, but the viral video has made us conscious,” said Mohammed Lateef, a shikara driver. He added that public drinking should not be endorsed and called for severe punishment for those involved.
The backlash has not been limited to local authorities and religious figures. Political leaders and parties have also voiced their disapproval. Tanvir Sadiq, the chief spokesman of the National Conference, condemned the tourists’ actions, urging the Jammu and Kashmir administration to strictly enforce laws banning public drinking. “A modern society doesn’t dance vulgarly in the streets or drink in public. These acts must end under the guise of tourism,” he stated.
Salman Nizami, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the negative impact such behavior has on the region’s cultural fabric. “Consuming alcohol openly in a shikara, in the land of Sufism, Kashmir, is unacceptable,” he posted on social media.
The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (United Council of Scholars), led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also issued a statement decrying the incident. They emphasized the importance of respecting the moral and religious ethos of Kashmir and urged hoteliers, houseboat owners, and shikara drivers to monitor and prevent such acts.
The incident has prompted a broader discussion about maintaining the sanctity of public spaces in Kashmir, particularly in areas of cultural and religious significance. Shikara drivers and local authorities are now more vigilant, ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
