Srinagar, May 12: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday called on J&K government to draw inspiration from Tamil Nadu’s newly elected government and implement a ban on liquor in the Union Territory.
He said that people, irrespective of their religious affiliations, want a complete ban on liquor in J&K, and that the elected government is obligated to respect public sentiment in this regard.
In a post on X, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “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 added, “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 Tamil Nadu chief minister’s decision, Bukhari said, “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 further said, “People across Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of religion or region, have repeatedly demanded a complete ban on liquor. Their voices should not be ignored any longer. 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.”
Meanwhile Bukhari today visited Darul Uloom in the Iqbal Colony, Naik Bagh area of Nowgam in Srinagar, where a fire incident on Monday damaged the seminary property.
He met the management of the Darul Uloom, who informed him about the incident and showed him the damage caused by the fire.
On this occasion, while speaking to reporters, Bukhari appealed to the government to extend financial assistance and provide other support, including timber, for rebuilding the damaged portion of the seminary building.
Meanwhile, responding to a question by a reporter, he said that it is completely in the hands of the elected government to ban the liquor in Union Territory.
He said, “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 added, “Who is stopping them — the elected government? They have more than 50 MLAs. It is completely within their power to ban liquor here.”
