After meat ban, Imran Masood now calls for liquor ban for 'equal restrictions' during Navratri

Congress MP Imran Masood has called for a ban on liquor sales during Navratri, questioning why only meat shops face restrictions during the nine-day Hindu festival. He stated that liquor consumption also affects the sanctity of the festival and should be equally restricted. “Everybody is demanding a ban on meat shops during Navratri. Why is no one asking for a ban on liquor shops?” he asked.

Masood emphasized the importance of communal harmony and urged all communities to make necessary sacrifices during religious festivals. He stated that maintaining peace should be the priority and that food choices should not become a reason for conflict. “What matters above everything is the peaceful co-existence of communities. At no point in time, the differences over food preferences lead to communal strife,” he said.

This year, Eid-ul-Fitr and Navratri are set to coincide on April 1, with the final date of Eid dependent on the moon sighting. Masood, who had earlier supported a ban on meat shops during Navratri, reiterated that abstaining from meat for ten days would not be a major inconvenience but would help ensure social harmony. “Nothing would change if one did not eat meat for ten days,” he said.

In addition to his statements on religious observances, Masood addressed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that the Opposition is fully prepared to challenge the legislation in Parliament. He mentioned that the Congress had opposed the amendments in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) discussions and would continue to resist them in the ongoing session.

His remarks came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Waqf Bill would be reintroduced before the conclusion of the Budget Session on April 4. With only four working days remaining in the session, debates over the bill are expected to intensify in Parliament.