J&K admin plans to open 200 liquor shops, religious leaders in Valley object

The new proposal to open liquor stores across Kashmir has met with objections in the Valley as Islam prohibits the consumption of liquor.

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While liquor is sold freely in Jammu province, there are very few shops and bars in the Valley. (Representational Image)

The Jammu and Kashmir administration plans to open about 200 liquor shops in Jammu and Kashmir, 67 of which will be in the Valley. The move has drawn opposition from religious leaders in the Valley, who said they will oppose it.

In a letter to J&K’s Financial Commissioner, Excise Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan sought approval to start the process.

“As per survey conducted and in exercise of the powers under Rule 28 of J&K Liquor & License Rules 1984 & section 4(B) of the Excise Act, a total list of 183 locations including 116 in Jammu and 67 in the zones of Kashmir is enclosed,” Shavan wrote in the letter dated June 16. “It is requested that necessary approval may kindly be granted enabling to proceed further strictly under the rules by way of any transparent method, either e-auctioning zone wise or location wise as the government deems fit as a matter of policy.”

The letter suggests the opening of 183 liquor vends in the Union territory — 116 in Jammu and 67 in the Valley. The list of proposed sites in the Valley includes 18 in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, eight in Srinagar and seven each in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and Budgam. In south Kashmir, the government has proposed the opening of six liquor vends in Shopian, five in Anantnag and four each in Pulwama and Kulgam. While four vends have been proposed for Kupwara, three will be set up in Bandipore.

While liquor is sold freely in Jammu province, there are very few shops and bars in the Valley — mostly in Srinagar and some tourist locations.

The new proposal to open liquor stores across Kashmir — especially in far-off villages — is triggering disquiet in the predominantly Muslim Valley as Islam prohibits the consumption of liquor.

“This is an attack on our culture and we will oppose it,” Grand Mufti Nasir ul Islam told The Indian Express. “We will call (a meeting of) all religious leaders and discuss the strategy on how to stop it. As of now, I can’t say how we will go about it but it will be opposed with our full might.”

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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