Condemnations are escalating in opposition to the federal government’s determination of permitting the sale of alcoholic drinks like beer in departmental shops of Jammu and Kashmir.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) staged a protest exterior the celebration workplace in Srinagar and likewise in Jammu district in opposition to the order whereas Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) mayor Junaid Mattu additionally aired his resentment in opposition to the choice.

A bunch of PDP leaders and activists raised slogans in opposition to the federal government whereas demanding rollback of the liquor order in Srinagar. Some activists have been later taken into custody to interrupt the protest, however launched later.

“The government has allowed the sale of alcohol in retail shops. We protested against this order. Please don’t normalize the consumption of alcohol in J&K. Why are there double standards? On one hand we see Gujarat is declared a dry state and on the other hand you are allowing alcohol in every home in the union territory,” stated a protester.

The protesters stated the order goes opposite to the marketing campaign which the federal government is operating in opposition to drug habit. “Isn’t alcohol using an entry point into further use of drugs? That is why every section of society is against this order. The imams, the political parties and the civil society in Kashmir are opposing this. Even in Jammu, which is the city of temples, the government is turning it into the city of alcohol. There is resentment in Jammu as well,” he said.

On October 10, the J&K’s Administrative Council (AC) chaired by the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the proposal for authorizing departmental stores to sell beer and other ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages in urban areas.

A government spokesperson said the departmental stores should be selling a minimum of six of the category of items including grocery items, frozen foods, confectionery or bakery items, toiletries, cosmetics, household goods, utensils/kitchenware, sports items, electrical/electronic appliances, apparels and stationery. In addition, no application for the grant of license shall be considered for departmental stores functioning at petrol pumps as per the said decision.

SMC mayor Junaid Azim Mattu also castigated the government for the decision. “I strongly and unequivocally condemn and will vehemently oppose the decision to allow the sale of liquor in departmental stores in Jammu & Kashmir. I implore the administration to rescind the decision in deference to the sentiments of the people,” he said in a tweet.

On Friday, Imam of Dargah Hazratbal, the most revered shrine in Kashmir, Kamal Ahmad Farooqi also demanded a complete ban on liquor in Jammu & Kashmir. “There should be an immediate ban on liquor. If we see comparative religion, even in Hindu religion, alcohol is prohibited. Kashmir is a place of Rishis, a pious place, a place of Sufi saints and we won’t allow it to be defiled. I appeal to the government to immediately close the liquor shops,” he said.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), a representative amalgam of some 30 Islamic religious and educational organizations of Kashmir, Wednesday harshly reacted against the administration’s approval to the proposal for sale of alcohol, saying that such directives show utter disregard for the tenants of Islam which deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims in J&K.

“Open sale of alcohol in departmental stores will further promote addiction which is a major issue in Kashmir especially among our youth, something that the authorities also claim to be concerned about. It will also encourage immoral behaviour,” the MMU stated in an announcement. “While consumption of alcohol is banned in many states of India, why is it being encouraged here?,” the physique questioned.