Srinagar, Mar 31 (KNO): The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) on Tuesday criticised National Conference MLA and former judge Hasnain Masoodi for defending liquor sales in Jammu and Kashmir on revenue grounds, terming the remarks “reckless and deeply unfortunate” and urging the government to move towards a complete ban in the larger interest of society.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said such remarks are deeply unfortunate when there are clear Islamic prohibition on intoxicants, and it is fundamentally at odds with the values and beliefs of Islam.
“It also ignores the grave social consequences that liquor consumption has in general on families and society, including domestic distress, financial hardship, and moral degradation. The spokesperson further said that such justification coming from a political party that claims to upholding the ethos, culture, and identity of Kashmir, is both disappointing and disturbing.”
He said, MMU stressed that economic considerations cannot be placed above moral, social, and human well-being, and that justifying liquor on revenue grounds reflects a troubling approach to governance.
“Calling it a well known menace that steadily erodes the moral and social fabric of society, MMU asked the ruling party to come clean on the matter and immediately take concrete steps towards a complete ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir and strict punishment to those involved in it’s smuggling, in the larger interest of society and the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” said the spokesperson.—(KNO)