A man found unconscious outside a Srinagar wine shop has ignited a debate about alcohol sales and public safety in the region.
The incident, which occurred in a busy part of the city, was captured in a video shared by activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat on social media platform X.
It's not Delhi it's our smart city kashmir, see this man he is drunk on footpath. 😂🚶♂️
#smartcitykashmir #drunkfootage #reelsinstagram #Kashmir #viral #srinagar #viralreelsシ pic.twitter.com/TcghQY2VGu
— Athlete Umer (@Cyclistumar) August 26, 2024
The video shows the man lying motionless on the pavement near the shop’s entrance, initially mistaken by passersby as merely asleep. As time went on without the man regaining consciousness, concerned citizens notified the authorities.
The activist questioned the appropriateness of having a liquor store in such a prominent location within Srinagar, especially in light of the city’s “Smart City” initiative.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion, both online and within the local community.
Many are calling for a review of where alcohol outlets are situated and urging politicians to include this topic in their future agendas.
The debate around alcohol consumption in Srinagar has been further fueled by a recent incident on August 12, when a drunk driver caused chaos in the city, damaging several vehicles and leaving multiple people injured.
This incident, shared widely on social media, underscores the growing concerns around public safety and alcohol-related issues in the area.
In a related matter, a group of individuals was recently arrested for openly consuming alcohol on a shikara, highlighting ongoing concerns about public drinking in the region.
Aga Ruhullah, a leader from the Jammu Kashmir National Conference, has called for a ban on public alcohol consumption and is considering introducing legislation to ban alcohol entirely in the Kashmir Valley.