J&K celebrations up in arms versus sale of alcohol at department shops

SRINAGAR: Opposition celebrations and some social and spiritual groups in Jammu and Kashmir are up in arms versus the federal government’s permitting the sale of beer and other alcohols at department shops in the Union Territory, describing the relocation as “anti-people”. The J&K administrative council which satisfied here on Monday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, authorized the proposition for authorising department shops to offer beer and other Ready to Drink (RTD) drinks in metropolitan locations. “The administrative council authorized incorporation of liberal arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir Liquor License and Sale Rules, 1984 and Excise Policy, 2023-24 for grant of License JKEL-2A for retail sale of beer and Ready to Drink (RTD) drinks in department shops in metropolitan locations of UT,” a declaration provided by the federal government had actually stated. The Congress was the very first to respond, explaining the relocation as the “worst present” of the BJP to J&K especially Jammu which, it stated, is the historical Hindu expedition location in the nation. The celebration’s J&K system working president, Raman Bhalla, stated, “The individuals of Jammu offered 25 MLAs to BJP in the last elections, and it has actually returned the favour with a worst present. Such dreadful choices will stain the image of Jammu-‘ Holiest City of Temples’ and the area being the historical trip location for it has the most revered shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi”. He included, “The federal government previously turned to wholesale opening of alcohol stores throughout J&K and now authorizing sale of liquors at typical department shops will just even more motivate our youth to delight in alcohol addiction.” National Conference (NC) leader Rattan Lal Gupta described the relocation as “obnoxious” and “anti-people” and prompted the Lt. Governor to withdraw the choice “with no doubt”. He stated, “What a paradox that the J&K is a Dev Bhumi of Shri Amarnath Ji, Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Chhati Patshahi (a recommendation to a Gurdwara in Srinagar called after Guru Hargobind Sahib) and Jammu being referred to as the City of Temples throughout the country. These pious and spiritual locations are being transformed into alcoholic by the LG administration.” He stated that the “devastating impact” of this choice will quickly be more noticeable in Jammu and less in Kashmir Valley. “This can be well determined from the truth that there are currently more than 210 alcohol stores in Jammu while Srinagar has just 5 alcohol stores”, he asserted. Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of Muslim spiritual, social and instructional organisations, stated, “Kashmir being a Muslim bulk location such instructions reveal utter neglect for the renters of Islam which deeply harms the beliefs of Muslims in J&K”. It asserted that open sale of beer and other liquors “will even more promote dependency which is a significant concern in Kashmir specifically amongst our youth, something that the authorities likewise declare to be worried about … it will likewise motivate unethical behaviour.” The MMU asked that while usage of alcohol is prohibited in numerous states of India why is it being motivated in J&K. …
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