By Bureau Report, Agence India Press,
Srinagar: Reacting sharply to Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s yesterday’s assertions that liquor shops should be opened to promote tourism in Kashmir, MLA Langate Engineer Abdul Rasheed termed it “unwanted and illogical” said, the National Conference President has hurt the sentiments of Kashmiri Muslims.
In a statement sent to Agence India Press, Engineer Rasheed said the Union Minister, Farooq Abdullah, who is heading the oldest regional party of the State, should not resort to such wayward statement which goes against the religious and cultural sensitivities of the people of the Muslim majority State.
“Dr Farooq’s advocacy of opening liquor shops at a religious and culture sensitive place is utter irresponsibility. As a senior politician he is expected to think twice before vouching for such devastating suggestions,” he said.
Engineer Rasheed said that at a time when the civil society and conscientious citizens of Kashmir are worried about increasing social crimes, advocating to open liquor shops amounts to abetting the society’s moral degradation.
Criticizing Dr Farooq’s argument that opening of liquor shops and cinema halls will boost tourism, Rasheed said, “The tourists do not come to Kashmir to drink liquor and visit cinemas halls; they come to enjoy the natural beauty of this place. While every effort should be made to promote the tourism, any action which goes against our religious and cultural sensitivities should never be allowed.”
He said the statement of NC president betrays the claims of State government headed by his party about working against the menace of drug addiction in Kashmir.
Pertinently, yesterday in a function here in Srinagar to mark the birth anniversary of late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, the National Conference President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah has advocated for opening of cinemas and liquor shops to promote the tourism in the Valley. (AIP News)