Alcoholism as a Mother Of all Evil Deeds: The Need for Civil Society to Take Charge
Dr.Fiaz Maqbool Fazili
Alcoholism has long been recognized as a social evil that not only destroys individuals but also fractures families, weakens economies, and fuels societal decay. Despite widespread awareness of its detrimental effects, the sale and consumption of alcohol continue to thrive under various pretexts, including economic benefits (tourism) and personal freedom. While many religious doctrines explicitly prohibit alcohol consumption, and health experts repeatedly warn against its dangers, political interests often manipulate the debate over alcohol regulation. Before delving into the debate on whether to ban liquor in Kashmir, it’s essential to acknowledge that alcohol is not a fundamental necessity for human survival. On the contrary, its consumption raises significant concerns across social, religious, and health dimensions. The call for an alcohol-free Kashmir is deeply rooted in religious teachings, health considerations, and the aspiration to preserve the region’s socio-cultural fabric. By advocating for abstinence, Kashmiri society seeks to uphold its traditional values, safeguard public health, and avert the moral and social challenges associated with alcohol consumption. This collective endeavour signifies a commitment to a healthier and more harmonious future for all. This article delves into the medical and Islamic perspectives on alcohol consumption, highlighting the debatable sensitivities, postures, or adversities for prohibiting its free sale in Kashmir. Also, argues that the issue of alcoholism should not be left solely to political manoeuvring but must be addressed by civil society through awareness, rehabilitation, and moral responsibility.
The Social Impact of Alcoholism;Alcoholism is more than just an individual affliction—it is a societal burden. The consequences extend beyond the drinker, affecting families, workplaces, and communities. Some key areas of impact include:Family Disintegration: Alcohol abuse often leads to domestic violence, financial instability, and neglect of children. Families of alcoholics frequently experience emotional and psychological distress.Health Hazards: Chronic alcohol consumption results in liver disease, cardiovascular problems, cancers and neurological disorders. It also contributes to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.Crime and Violence: Alcohol is a significant factor in criminal activities, including assault, homicide, and sexual violence. Many cases of road accidents and public disturbances are linked to intoxication. Economic Drain: Alcoholism reduces workplace productivity, increases medical costs, absenteeism and burdens law enforcement agencies. Countries spend billions on alcohol-related health and social problems. Moral and Ethical Decline: The normalization of excessive drinking erodes moral values, weakens self-discipline, and fosters a culture of escapism and irresponsibility.
Alcohol Regulation and Free Accessibility; Governments across the world struggle with the paradox of alcohol regulation. On one hand, the liquor industry generates significant revenue through taxation; on the other hand, the social and health costs far outweigh the economic benefits. However, political interests often dominate policy decisions in this matter. Some of the key reasons why political intervention in alcohol control is problematic include:Revenue Dependency and Impact of Ban. Governments rely heavily on liquor taxes, making them hesitant to implement strict prohibition laws. It would be valuable for statisticians, tour operators, and critics to understand the financial impact of the alcohol ban, including the number of potential visitors who might alter their travel plans or cancel bookings upon learning that Kashmir is a dry state.
Lobbying by the Alcohol/Tourism Industry: The powerful liquor industry influences legislation to protect its interests, often sidelining public health concerns. Election Strategies: Politicians frequently come under accusation of manipulating alcohol policies to appeal to voters. It is both unusual and noteworthy that two legislators from the same political party in Srinagar hold divergent positions on the proposed liquor ban policy. Although later one of the law makers posted clarification on his mis -interpreted statement. To foster inclusive decision-making, it may be prudent for the state administration to engage directly with civil society stakeholders, ensuring their perspectives are integrated into a mutually agreeable resolution.
Selective Bans and Hypocrisy: While some regions impose alcohol bans, enforcement remains weak due to corruption, local business and political influence. Short-Term Solutions: Governments often resort to temporary bans or restrictions to curb alcoholism rather than implementing long-term preventive strategies.Given these conflicts of interest, the fight against alcoholism cannot be entrusted to politicians alone. It is essential for civil society to assume a leading role in addressing the issue.
The Role of Civil Society; Since political systems are often not free from the criticism of getting politicised in dealing with alcoholism, civil society must take charge through education, activism, and social support systems. Some key measures include:1. Awareness and Education. Public awareness campaigns should focus on the dangers of alcohol, targeting schools, colleges, workplaces, religious and social institutions. NGOs and community groups must work to educate people about responsible behavior and alternatives to drinking. Families and communities should foster open conversations about alcohol abuse and provide strong support systems for those struggling with addiction. Social stigmatization of excessive drinking can discourage alcohol abuse.2. Religious and Cultural Influence. Most major religions discourage alcohol consumption. Religious institutions from all faiths should actively promote sobriety and offer counselling services. Traditional cultural values that emphasize self-discipline and temperance should be reinforced.3. Rehabilitation and De-addiction Centre’s. Society should prioritise rehabilitation. More de-addiction centers should be established to offer medical, psychological, and social support to alcoholics. 4.Policy Advocacy and Public Pressure. It is healthy and harmonious that civil society should engage with State policy makers in a dialogue to introduce effective alcohol-control policies .
Religious Prohibition and Moral Responsibility;Abstinence from sin is lighter than the pain of remorse”.( ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab(RA). Almost all major religions advise against alcohol consumption. Islam strictly prohibits alcohol, Hindu scriptures warn against intoxication, Christianity discourages excess drinking, Sikhism and Buddhism promotes abstinence. Religious doctrines recognize that alcohol leads to moral degradation and spiritual decline. Majority of Kashmiri resident’s follow faith which follow Prophet Muhammad saw advice,” Stay away from wine, for it is the mother of wickedness. By Allah, faith and addiction to wine cannot be combined but that one of them will eventually expel the other.”Despite these warnings, many followers of these religions continue to consume alcohol, often due to societal influences and peer pressure. Religious institutions, therefore, have a responsibility to reinforce their teachings through social initiatives and community outreach programs.
Health Perspective: The Unquestionable Harm; Medical research has firmly established the harmful effects of alcohol. Alcohol-related liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, cancers and neurological damage make it one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Furthermore, addiction not only affects the body but also deteriorates mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Given such overwhelming evidence, discouraging alcohol consumption should be a priority for society.
Summarising a Social, Medical and religious Perspective away from politics.. Is there any Justification in demand for Prohibiting Free Alcohol Sale in Kashmir:
The issue of liquor bans should be separated from politics and treated purely as a civilian matter, as it primarily concerns personal choice and social concerns, religious regulations rather than political agendas. Alcohol consumption has been a contentious issue across societies, cultures, and religions for centuries. In Kashmir, the debate over the sale and consumption of alcohol has gained renewed attention, caused by its free availability. The region, known for its rich cultural heritage and religious values, is witnessing a growing concern over the negative impacts of alcohol on public health, social order, and moral fabric.
Alcoholism is a deep-rooted social evil that cannot be eradicated solely through government policies only even when implemented with effective regulation. Civil society must take a proactive role in addressing alcoholism through awareness campaigns, community support, religious guidance, rehabilitation programs, and advocacy for better policies. Given that both religious and medical perspectives strongly discourage alcohol consumption, it is a moral and social obligation for individuals and communities to combat this menace. The fight against alcoholism is not just about prohibition alone —it is about transforming mindsets and fostering a culture of responsibility and well-being. By working collectively, we can create a healthier and more conscientious society free from the devastating grip of alcoholism.
(Author is Medical Doctor ,Senior columnist contributing on social;, moral and religious issues can be reached drfiazfazili@gmail.com)
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