Punjab: 'Women-Friendly' Liquor Shop Causes Stir

A new controversy stirred in Punjab following the inauguration of a liquor store labelled 'women-friendly' at Lamma Pind Chowk in Jalandhar.

The establishment of this 'women-friendly liquor shop' led to a significant dispute, with political factions including the BJP and Congress expressing their disapproval.

Although the notion of a 'women-friendly' liquor store had already been introduced in Madhya Pradesh and Gurugram, this type of establishment has purportedly been introduced for the first time in Punjab.

Political Controversy

The protest initially arose when Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the Chief of the Congress Committee, took to Twitter and wrote, "The AAP government secured its position with a commitment to eradicate the drug issue in Punjab within the initial three months of its tenure. However, this action suggests that they are now enticing women into this predicament."

ਸ਼ਰਮਨਾਕ! ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ ਤਿੰਨ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਮੁਕਤ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਵਾਅਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੁਣ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਸ਼ਰਾਬ ‘ਤੇ ਲਗਾਉਣ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਿਆਰੀਆਂ ਕਰ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ। ਨਸ਼ਾ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਪੀੜੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪੀੜੀਆਂ ਨਿਗਲ ਚੁੱਕਿਆ ਹੈ, ਹੁਣ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਠੇਕੇ ਖੋਲ ਕੇ @BhagwantMann ਜੀ ਕਰਨਾ ਕੀ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ? ਬਦਲਾਅ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਨਵਾਂ ਰੂਪ ਬਹੁਤ ਭਿਆਨਕ… pic.twitter.com/66bzBlsjZQ

— Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) August 11, 2023

Janardan Sharma, the media secretary of the BJP in Punjab, expressed strong disapproval, labelling it as "highly disgraceful to display a sign on a shop proclaiming it to be women-friendly, thereby implying an invitation for women to partake in alcohol consumption in Punjab."

Shop Closed & Action Taken

Following the intense political controversy, officials from Punjab's Excise and Taxation Department mandated the closure of the wine shop. It has been reported that the liquor store will eventually resume operations, albeit under a revised name and signage. The primary rationale behind this decision is related to the excise duty that has been submitted to the excise department.

Reports indicate that the wine shop in Jalandhar under scrutiny was not a conventional 'theka.' Instead, it exclusively dealt with foreign liquor within its premises. Nevertheless, the use of the term 'women-friendly shop' on its banner became the focal point of contention.

Protests From Social Organisations

The establishment has been set up near a women's college. Dr Atima Sharma Dwivedi, the Principal of Kanya Maha Vidyalaya (KMV), expressed disapproval, stating, "We strongly denounce the presence of a liquor shop that may attract women to our vicinity. Such a concept lacks any potential for constructive intent."

Furthermore, Suren Kochhar, a trustee of the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall, voiced his opposition to the sign displayed by the liquor shop. He emphasized their stance against the ongoing activities in Punjab and declared that if any similar establishment arises in the future, they will strongly oppose it.

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