Srinagar: Hardline senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Wednesday sought a `fatwa` against union minister and ruling National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah for advocating reopening of liquor shops in the Kashmir Valley.
Geelani, who chaired an advisory committee meeting of his faction of the Hurriyat Conference on Tuesday, said in a statement: "Islam declares liquor as the mother of all evils and orders punishment against those who consume it."
"Advocating the opening of liquor shops in Muslim majority state speaks of the mental apostasy of Dr Farooq who despite his old age retains his mischievous character," he said in the statement on Wednesday.
He also contested Farooq Abdullah`s claim that the opening of liquor shops would help the tourist industry in the Valley.
The local Jamaat-e-Islami has also criticized Farooq Abdullah for his statement on Monday advocating the opening of liquor shops and cinema halls in the Valley, both of which had been closed in the beginning of 1990 following the outbreak of armed violence.
"Whether it is a liquor shop or the cinema hall, both are sources of propagation of obscenity, immorality and imprudence," the Jamaat said in a statement.
IANS
