Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to take inspiration from Tamil Nadu’s newly elected government and impose a complete ban on liquor in the Union Territory.
He said people across Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of religion or region, have repeatedly demanded a liquor ban and the elected government is duty-bound to respect public sentiment.
In a post on X, Bukhari wrote, “Since taking office, Tamil Nadu’s newly elected Chief Minister, Joseph Vijay, has shown what true public leadership looks like. His decisions clearly reflect the will and emotions of the people who elected him. Just two days after being sworn in as Chief Minister, he ordered the closure of 717 liquor shops located near temples, schools, and bus stands across the state.”
Calling the move courageous, he further said, “This was not an easy decision, especially when a major share of Tamil Nadu’s revenue comes from liquor sales. Yet, he chose to stand with the people and fulfill a long-pending public demand.”
Praising the decision of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Bukhari said it should serve as a lesson for the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is how true public representatives use power to serve society with courage and sincerity. Joseph Vijay’s decision should serve as an eye-opener for our government here in Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, our political parties are indulging in a blame game. The ruling NC says that even the PDP refused to ban liquor when it was in power. That may be true, but it does not mean that the NC, which has received a huge public mandate this time, should also follow PDP’s path,” he said.
Bukhari said the voices of the people demanding a liquor ban should no longer be ignored.
“In a democracy, power belongs to the people, and the duty of every elected government is to respect the sentiments, values, and aspirations of the people it represents,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bukhari visited Darul Uloom in the Iqbal Colony area of Naik Bagh, Nowgam in Srinagar, where a fire incident on Monday damaged a portion of the seminary building.
He met the management of the Darul Uloom and took stock of the damage caused by the fire. Speaking to reporters on the occasion, he appealed to the government to provide financial assistance and other support, including timber, for reconstruction of the damaged structure.
Responding to a media query, Bukhari reiterated that the power to impose a liquor ban lies entirely with the elected government.
“The way the Government of Tamil Nadu took a strong decision to close hundreds of liquor shops located near temples, schools, and other sensitive places, our government should also step forward with courage and ban liquor here in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He added, “Who is stopping them — the elected government? They have more than 50 MLAs. It is completely within their power to ban liquor here.”(KINS)
