The Jammu and Kashmir Police booked social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry, and seven others on Monday, March 17, for allegedly consuming liquor in Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Trikuta Hills.
The Union Territory administration has imposed a strict ban on the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian products in Katra due to the town’s religious significance. The police stated that the accused were booked for "violating the law of the land" and that a team was formed to track them down for "hurting the sentiments of people."
A First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Katra police station under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which deals with disobedience of an order issued by a public servant.
Reacting to the incident, Rakesh Wazir, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra, told ANI that the sanctity of the pilgrimage site must be maintained. “Today, the position of Katra is that it (alcohol) is banned here. Garlic and onion are not used to maintain the sanctity of the Mata Vaishno Devi… Today, indeed, they have consumed it (alcohol) inside the room, but despite that, as long as you are in Katra, you should take care of it (not take alcohol). This is our thinking,” he told ANI.
Several political leaders condemned the act and called for strict action. BJP MLAs Baldev Sharma, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Vikram Randhawa, and Devinder Kumar Manyal demanded increased security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Mankotia questioned the intent behind Orry’s visit. "...One fails to understand whether he had come for a picnic or a pilgrimage. There is no scope for anyone to violate the law in this way," he said. PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para also criticised the incident, stating that visitors to the shrine should be mindful of their actions and how they affect public sentiment.
PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan also expressed his anger, calling for immediate action. "Mata Vaishno Devi, a revered pilgrimage site, is not a party destination. This Bollywood joker Orry and friends drinking there is a direct insult to the Hindu faith. I urge Jammu and Kashmir government Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Police to take action against the hotel for this disgrace," he wrote in a Facebook post.
Orry, a well-known social media personality from Mumbai, has gained attention for his close association with Bollywood celebrities, including Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Urvashi Rautela, and Bhumi Pednekar. He frequently appears at high-profile industry events and parties.