An organization of Islamic scholars and clerics in Jammu and Kashmir has condemned a statement made by National Conference legislator Hasnain Masoodi regarding a proposal to ban liquor sales in the Union Territory. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) spokesperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expressed strong disapproval of Masoodi’s remarks justifying the sale of alcohol for revenue benefits, citing Islamic prohibitions on intoxicants. Farooq emphasized that such statements contradict Islamic values and beliefs, overlooking the negative societal impacts of alcohol consumption.
The MMU criticized the National Conference for prioritizing economic gains over moral and social well-being, stating that justifying liquor sales based on revenue sets a concerning governance precedent. They urged the party to uphold Kashmir’s cultural identity by implementing a complete ban on alcohol and imposing strict penalties on those involved in its illicit trade. The MMU highlighted the detrimental effects of alcohol on society, calling for immediate action to address the issue in the interest of the Union Territory’s future.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is expected to discuss a private member’s bill proposing a ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol in the region. Liquor sales have been legal in Jammu and Kashmir since the British colonial era.
