Mirwaiz asks Farooq to 'take rest' after liquor remark

Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday asked Union Minister Farooq Abdullah to take "rest" following his suggestion for reopening of cinemas and liquor shops in Jammu and Kashmir to provide more options for tourists.

"It is our advice that the person who has made this statement (about opening of liquor shops) should take rest now," the Mirwaiz told a Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

He said tourists do not come to Kashmir to consume liquor but to see the beauty of the Valley "bestowed by Allah".

"It is unfortunate that the ruling class, under a plan, is talking about implementing those things which are un-Islamic," he said.

He said the state government, which is headed by Farooq's son Omar Abdullah, should clarify whether promoting "immoral activities" was part of the state policy.

The Hurriyat chairman also hit back at Farooq for his remarks that India is a secular state.

"It is sad that the former chief minister of this state is saying that Jammu and Kashmir is not an Islamic state -- but Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim majority state and values here should be as per Islamic teachings," he said.

Mirwaiz said those who talk about opening up liquor sale should also know that it is the "root of all evils".

The Hurriyat chairman warned that any act by the state which goes against the teachings of Islam will be resisted.

Farooq, earlier this week, said cinemas should be reopened and advocated sale of liquor in the state to promote tourism.

The Union minister's remarks drew a criticism from hardline Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Jamaat-i- Islami and Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid.