Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 13: Waqf Board Chairperson, Darakhshan Andrabi today said narcotics terrorism was emerging as a major threat in Jammu and Kashmir and must be eradicated with the same determination used against cross-border terrorism.
Talking to reporters here, Andrabi said addiction in any form was harmful for society, particularly for the youth, and stressed that intoxicants had no place in any religion. “Earlier, terrorism came from across the border and now narcotics-based terrorism is coming. Like terrorism, that too must be eliminated here as the Government has now taken a strong stand,” she said.
She said increasing drug abuse was pushing young people into stress and depression, while new forms of narcotics were emerging rapidly. “Whatever the form of addiction may be, addiction is not good for any young person or for any society. Any kind of intoxication is wrong. Intoxication is forbidden,” Andrabi said.
Referring to the anti-drug campaign launched in Kashmir, she said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had initiated a de-addiction drive with support from the administration, police, civil society groups and citizens. “The administration, police, civil society groups, ordinary citizens and Government officers are all supporting this effort so that drugs can be eradicated from this sacred land of saints, sages, Sufis and spiritual leaders,” she said.
Andrabi also reacted to recent remarks linking alcohol consumption with religion, saying no faith endorsed intoxication or sinful acts. “Whether it is the Quran, the Gita, the Bible or any other religious text, nowhere is intoxication given religious approval. Please do not give this issue a religious colour because every religion considers sinful acts to be wrong and every form of intoxication to be forbidden,” she said.
Commenting on governance and public issues in Jammu and Kashmir, Andrabi said Governments must fulfil promises made to the people and warned against relying only on slogans. “If the Government is not working, then it means it is surviving only on slogans, and somewhere this becomes a betrayal of the people,” she said.
She said people were facing problems related to development works, damaged roads, electricity, gas supply and employment. “Politicians should not think that once they get a mandate, they can do whatever they want. Power always remains with the people. The people are the ones who give power and can also take it away,” Andrabi added.
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