Srinagar, June 15 (KNS) : Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference State Secretary Organisation Sheikh Mohammad Imran on Sunday said that the debate surrounding liquor prohibition in Jammu and Kashmir has exposed what he termed the “double standards” of political parties that publicly advocate a ban on alcohol while, according to him, presiding over the expansion of liquor outlets during their respective tenures in government.
He was joined by Political Secretary to Party President Tasaduq Hussain, Additional Spokesperson Arif Mir and Media Secretary to JKPC President Danish Iqbal.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Imran said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Kashmir, deserved transparency and accountability on an issue that carries social, cultural and religious significance for the region.
“Today we have brought an important issue before you. In this Muslim-majority region of Kashmir, votes were taken through deceit, lies and false promises by those who are now running campaigns in the name of banning alcohol. I swear that we will remove all masks from the faces of these hypocrites,” Imran said.
The JKPC leader took aim at the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata Party, saying their public positions on prohibition stand in contrast to what he described as their administrative record on liquor licensing.
Referring to a Right to Information (RTI) reply obtained by his office from the Excise Department covering Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts, Imran presented figures regarding liquor outlets established during different administrations.
According to the figures cited by him, three liquor shops operated during the tenure of Dr. Farooq Abdullah between 1996 and 2002, three during the government of the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed between 2002 and 2005, four during Omar Abdullah’s previous term as Chief Minister between 2009 and 2015 and four during the PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti between 2016 and 2018.
He further stated that twelve liquor outlets were opened during the period of Governor’s Rule between 2019 and 2023 and that eight additional outlets had come up in Srinagar and Ganderbal during the present Omar Abdullah-led government.
“The manifesto was not fulfilled. People were promised relief on essential issues, but in one-and-a-half years eight liquor shops were opened in Srinagar and Ganderbal.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe people have a right to ask questions,” he said.
Imran said the issue goes beyond politics and concerns the social future of Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that while several political leaders have publicly supported campaigns against alcohol, the RTI figures paint a different picture.
“Wearing prayer caps, standing in shrines and seeking votes in the name of faith is one thing, but the people must also look at the decisions taken in government. The signatures on licences and the official record tell their own story,” he remarked.
Calling upon the public to scrutinise the record of political parties, Imran said the RTI response should form the basis of an honest public debate on prohibition.
“If this continues, our nation and our coming generations will suffer. The RTI reply has come. The facts are before the people. It is now for the public to decide who has remained true to their promises and who has not,” he said.
The JKPC State Secretary also questioned the rationale behind linking the issue of prohibition to the restoration of statehood.
“Do you need statehood to ban liquor but not to issue liquor licences? The Excise Department functions under the government. The people deserve an answer on this contradiction,” he said.
Responding to a question on remarks attributed to Dr. Farooq Abdullah regarding prohibition, Imran urged leaders of the National Conference and PDP to respond to the RTI figures and clarify their positions before the public.
“If there is truth in what they say, let them answer this RTI. Let them tell the people whether these figures are false. The facts are available and the people can judge for themselves,” he stated.
Reiterating the Peoples Conference's stand, Imran said the party has consistently opposed alcohol consumption on religious, ethical and social grounds and would work towards prohibition if given public support.
“We consider the money earned through alcohol to be haram. We oppose alcohol religiously, politically and ethically. On behalf of the Peoples Conference, I promise that if the people support us, we will work to close these outlets and move towards a complete ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir,” he declared. (KNS)