Residents protest proposed liquor shop in Harsil-Jhala near Gangotri Dham

Uttarkashi: Residents of Harsil-Jhala — backed by the Gangotri Temple Committee and Congress workers — on Wednesday launched a protest after the Uttarakhand excise department once again put forward a proposal to open an IMFL (India-made foreign liquor) shop in the area. They said religious sentiments and faith are being trifled with as the Gangotri Dham is just 20km from Harsil-Jhala, and warned that they will launch a full-scale agitation if the shop is opened.Representatives from Harsil Valley, including members of Congress, the Youth Congress and the Gangotri Temple Committee, also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate and the excise officer against the move. They pointed out that tenders for opening an IMFL shop in Harsil had been invited in the past as well, but at that time the excise department was compelled to cancel the tenders due to strong opposition from the local community. The protesters said hundreds of thousands of devotees are expected to visit the area during the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, and opening a liquor shop near the Gangotri Dham would inevitably have a detrimental impact on the local social and religious environment.