Srinagar, 17 Feb: National Conference’s Tanvir Sadiq is under fire after defending liquor sales in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing, “If we ban liquor, what impact will it have on tourism? We are all collectively against it, but we need to consider other factors.” His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and religious figures, reigniting the debate over a proposed liquor ban in the region.
While Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned NC leader Tanvir Sadiq for justifying liquor sales in the Muslim-majority region as a tourism-driven necessity, PDP leader Waheed Parra rejected the claim, citing Gujarat’s example.
“If you can’t do good for our people, at least stop harming our morals and values for God’s sake,” Mirwaiz said at an interfaith event in Budgam.
He questioned NC’s priorities, stating, “Hundreds of thousands of youngsters have fallen victim to drug abuse. Where do you want to drag our society?”
He added that several Indian states, including Gujarat and Bihar, have banned alcohol, yet NC leaders are pushing for liquor sales in J&K, which he called “regrettable.”
Para said: “Last year, Gujarat, a dry state, saw 18.59 crore tourists, including 23.43 lakh foreign visitors. In contrast, J&K received only three million tourists in 2024, with around 43,000 foreign visitors.”
He also pointed out that states like Bihar, Nagaland, and Mizoram, along with the UT of Lakshadweep, prohibit alcohol.
At least three private members’ Bills advocating a liquor ban will be introduced in the upcoming assembly session, including one from NC legislator Ahsan Pardesi. PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz and Awami Ittehad Party’s Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad have submitted similar proposals.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also endorsed the ban. BJP leader and Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi welcomed the Bills, stating, “Protecting young people from drug abuse is essential.”
Former J&K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh echoed the sentiment, calling liquor a “serious threat” to society.
“The BJP has never supported alcohol consumption. The open sale near schools, temples, and mosques is unacceptable,” he said.
Last week, Shiv Sena (UBT) staged a protest in Jammu, demanding a liquor ban. “J&K, home to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Hazratbal Dargah, and Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib, is seeing its religious faith eroded by liquor sales,” said Manish Sahni of Shiv Sena’s J&K wing.
Despite opposition, reports suggest the lieutenant governor’s administration plans to establish 187 liquor shops across J&K, including in Kashmir. The excise department collected over ₹2,000 crore in liquor revenue last year.
The debate over banning liquor in J&K is not new. NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had previously resisted such a move, arguing it could impact tourism.
In 2015, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court addressed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the religious organization Karwan-e-Islami, which sought a ban on the sale and consumption of liquor in the state. The court admitted the PIL and directed the state government to present its stance on the proposed ban by October 6, 2015.
Subsequently, the High Court instructed the government to strictly enforce its existing liquor policy, stressing the regulation of liquor trade.
The court also mandated the closure of liquor shops located along state and national highways beyond December 2015.
Despite these directives, the state government, represented by Finance Minister Haseeb A Drabu, ruled out imposing a liquor ban. Drabu said it is an individual choice, that in a free society, decisions should not be enforced by the government.
As of now, the PIL remains unresolved, with the government's definitive response still pending.