Srinagar: A signboard erected by the traders association in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, cautioning tourists against alcohol, drugs, and smoking has been seized by the police, according to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday.
The signboard, aimed at promoting family values and discouraging substance abuse, was removed a day after its installation.
Earlier, Peoples Democratic Party spokesperson Mohit Bhan highlighted the context behind the signboard in a tweet, stating, “Amid growing calls for an ‘Alcohol Ban’ in J&K, traders in Lal Chowk are putting up signboards encouraging tourists to embrace family values and avoid liquor, drugs, and smoking.”
Reacting to the seizure, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq questioned the authorities, asking, “Why was this signboard seized? What exactly is wrong with urging tourists to respect local culture, avoid alcohol and use of drugs, and keep the city clean? Shopkeepers of Lal Chowk informed me about this. Is promoting moral values and decency now a crime in Kashmir?”
The incident has reignited debates over cultural norms and tourism policies in Kashmir, where concerns over substance abuse among tourists have previously sparked public discourse and calls for stricter regulations.
Earlier instances of tourists consuming alcohol in Kashmir have prompted political figures to advocate for stricter measures, including calls for a potential alcohol ban.
