Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani on Friday accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of violating the ‘decorum’ of religion by building a liquor store “in the middle of two gurudwaras” in Tilak Nagar, the national capital.
Addressing a virtual rally organized by the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Irani said: “…the leader, who spoke about Swaraj and wrote in his book about the picketing of shops in and their closure, was now exploring opportunities to open liquor stores in every neighborhood.
The Union Minister also called out the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for promising to make Punjab “nasha-mukt” (drug-free) if elected to power in the upcoming Assembly of Assembly polls. the state.
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Irani’s attack on Kejriwal came a day after Delhi’s BJP leader Adesh Gupta said his party would seal liquor sales located in residential areas, near schools and religious places if Kejriwal government is not closing these outlets in the next 48 hours.
Irani said the BJP is determined to continue its protest against the new excise policy until it is withdrawn by the Kejriwal government.
“The Kejriwal government has sent a message to society that they are ready to do anything for profit. I want to ask the AAP government who will be responsible for the families who will be destroyed in this pursuit of profit,” she said.
She also said that civil society should consider whether the money earned from the sale of alcohol will be suitable for welfare and development work.
Read also | Drinking age passed despite new excise policy in place
She said while liquor stores were opened near gurdwaras in Tilak Nagar, another was opened near a school in Shahdara. Residents of Mandawali have suffered frequent changes due to a liquor store in their neighborhood, the BJP leader said.
Irani said alcohol sales also put women’s safety at risk. She said the women were forced through crowds of people, including drunken men, near liquor stores, praying for their safety and modesty.
The Kejriwal government has scrapped alcohol sales in Delhi, licensing 849 alcohol sales to private companies through open tenders under its new excise policy. So far, more than 550 liquor stores have been opened in many parts of the city as more prepare.
(With contributions from the agency)
