Mirwaiz Warns of Uprising Over Liquor Shop in Srinagar: A Threat to Kashmir’s Culture

As Srinagar faces the opening of a liquor outlet, Kashmiri voices rise in unified outrage, vowing resistance against what many call a cultural and religious affront.

Senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has issued a strong warning against the opening of a liquor outlet in Batmaloo, Srinagar, declaring it a deliberate move to erode the moral fabric of Kashmir. Addressing a packed gathering at Jamia Masjid during Friday prayers, he labelled the plan as a “direct assault on Kashmir’s religious, cultural, and social ethos.”

Mirwaiz emphasized that the introduction of alcohol in a region struggling with drug addiction is both irresponsible and dangerous. He warned that promoting liquor in a Muslim-majority society like IIOJK is a calculated attempt to destabilize future generations. “This is societal sabotage, not development,” he asserted, urging the administration to abandon the plan immediately.

Backed by the Batmaloo traders and business community, local shopkeepers have called for a three-day shutdown in protest. Mirwaiz highlighted their concerns, demanding swift action from the government. “This move is completely unacceptable to the people of Kashmir,” he said, reflecting the growing unrest on the streets.

Alcohol, forbidden in Islam, is viewed as a red line in the cultural and spiritual life of Kashmiris. Mirwaiz denounced the authorities for ignoring these sensitivities. “Instead of upholding our values, they are openly encouraging practices that endanger our youth,” he stated, expressing alarm at the state’s indifference.

Mirwaiz directly called on the Omar Abdullah-led administration to intervene immediately. He insisted the plan be scrapped without delay to avoid public backlash. “If authorities remain silent, the ulema, civil society, and the public will be forced to act. The streets will echo with resistance,” he warned.

Addressing one of the most common justifications for liquor sales—the boost to tourism—Mirwaiz sharply questioned the logic. “Has tourism not flourished here for decades without alcohol? Why not open liquor shops in Gujarat, a dry state, if it’s truly about tourism?” he asked, exposing what many see as double standards in state policy.