Hindu lawmaker urges govt to reconsider bill seeking ban on alcohol for non-Muslims

The government had disapproved the bill moved by a Christian MNA last month


Zahid Gishkori October 09, 2014

ISLAMABAD: A Hindu lawmaker urged the government on Thursday to reconsider a recently rejected bill seeking a ban on the business of alcoholic beverages in Pakistan.

A parliamentary panel had disapproved a bill proposed last month which sought a ban on the distribution of liquor by Christians, Hindus, Jews and Ahmedis in Pakistan.

Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Dr Ramesh Kumar said alcohol is strictly forbidden according to the teachings of the Shrimad Baghwat Piran – a Hindu holy book, while also emphasising that decision makers (MNAs) or other higher-ups in the community are prohibited to drink under any circumstances.

“Sale, production, importation and transportation of alcoholic beverages in Pakistan occurred under the banner of minorities which is strongly offensive and insulting,” Dr Ramesh, who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, said.

Ramesh went on to call for either a complete ban on the business of alcohol in Pakistan or that it should be open for all, irrespective of religion.

Dr Ramesh requested Mahmood Bashir Virk, chairman of the National Assembly standing committee, to reconsider the bill, moved by MNA Asiya Nasir, for the best interest of Pakistani society.

“This bill will earn international shame for Pakistan,” remarked Mahmood Bashir Virk, when he disapproved this bill.

However, Dr Ramesh and MNA Asiya Nasir refused to withdraw the bill with Nasir walking out of the meeting to record her protest.

“I’m saddened and shocked today,” said Nasir after the committee rejected the bill. “I strongly stand by my stance. I will introduce another amended bill before Parliament,” she told The Express Tribune.

Earlier this year, Chairman Council of the Islamic Ideology Muhammad Khan Sherani with fifteen other lawmakers moved the bill into Parliament.

Sixteen lawmakers wanted amendments in Article 37 of the Constitution. Five non-Muslims, including a Christian MNA Asiya Nasir and Hindu MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar, also supported this bill.

Correction: An earlier version of the story mistakenly mentioned that the government had rejected the bill. It was actually rejected by a parliamentary panel. 

COMMENTS (8)

turlehead | 9 years ago | Reply

Prohibition of alcohol or any "vice" will not stop people from doing it, human beings have an inherent quality of doing something that has been prohibited. If people are willing to risk their health or jeopardize their moral values and religious believes its their own personal choice. Any kind of moral policing will only result in a deep rooted hatred for the government, the problem becomes even more complicated in countries where its citizens follow different religious faiths, needless to say alcohol is an active part of many religions as is the avoidance of it in some faiths. So instead of Banning the vice or prohibiting its commerce, educate the citizens to value their own health and beliefs and to stay away from such vices.

papi | 9 years ago | Reply

maybe the hindu lawmaker is on the payroll of alcohol smugglers who want alcohol banned to increase their profits.

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