The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) began a signature campaign on Saturday to support a complete ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir. The campaign is in favor of a bill proposed by PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz. Party leader Iltija Mufti launched the campaign at the PDP head office after police stopped them from holding it at Sher-e-Kashmir Park.
Mufti spoke to reporters after the launch, saying that drug and alcohol abuse is a serious problem in the region. “We are here to talk about an important issue. Drugs and alcohol are spreading quickly. Our MLA from Kupwara has introduced a bill in the J-K assembly to ban alcohol, and we are starting this campaign from our office,” she said.
She pointed out that the rise in drug and alcohol use is harming society. “In the last few years, many liquor shops have opened in J-K, making alcohol easy to get. We ask the public to support this campaign,” Mufti added.
Mufti also called on other political parties to support the bill, saying it is not just a political issue but a social one. “I hope parties like the National Conference, People’s Conference, and BJP will join us. This is about the well-being of our community. Many young people are feeling hopeless due to high unemployment, which leads them to use alcohol and drugs,” she explained.
She noted the heavy police presence outside the party office, assuring that the campaign is peaceful. “We are not here to cause any trouble. We want to encourage people to say no to drugs and alcohol. I invite everyone to support this signature campaign. Alcohol is a serious issue here, and it needs to be banned completely,” she said.
Mufti also asked the local and central governments to help make Jammu and Kashmir an alcohol-free region. “Just like Bihar, Gujarat, and Nagaland have become alcohol-free states, we believe Jammu and Kashmir can do the same, and this should not affect tourism,” she concluded.
