SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz Umar, while delivering Friday sermon at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid, condemned the opening of a liquor shop in Batmaloo, terming it a “direct assault on Kashmir’s religious, cultural, and social ethos” and a “deliberate attempt to damage future generations.”
Referring to a public notice issued by the Batmaloo traders and business community, Mirwaiz said local shopkeepers had announced a three-day shutdown in protest and called for government intervention to immediately halt the proposed move.
“This is a deeply disturbing development,” the Mirwaiz said during his khutba. “It is completely unacceptable to the people of Kashmir. At a time when we are already grappling with the menace of drug addiction, the promotion of liquor by the authorities is nothing short of societal sabotage.”
The Mirwaiz criticised what he described as the government’s disregard for the sentiments of the Muslim-majority population of Jammu and Kashmir. “The consumption of alcohol is against the tenets of Islam and contrary to our values. Yet, instead of protecting our social fabric, the authorities are encouraging its availability,” he said.
Calling on the Omar Abdullah-led government to take “urgent and decisive action,” Mirwaiz said the administration must ensure the plan is scrapped immediately. “Such proposals should be nipped in the bud. If the government fails to act, the ulema, civil society and public at large will have no choice but to register their protest,” he warned.
Mirwaiz also questioned the rationale offered in favour of liquor outlets, especially the oft-repeated argument linking alcohol availability with tourism. “Hasn’t tourism thrived in Kashmir for decades without liquor? Why not open liquor shops in Gujarat, a dry state?” he asked, rhetorically highlighting the apparent double standard.
