SHODAAS (CHARAS ADDICTS) IN KASHMIR

                                             

                                 ( Leaf of Cannabis plant ) 

    

SHODAAS (CHARAS ADDICTS) IN  KASHMIR

 

In Kashmir , we had some Sadhus who lived in temples  and became quite popular with local residents. Apart from caretaking , these Sadhus performed regular  Puja at these temples and earned enormous goodwill and respect of locals with their simplicity , truthfulness, good conduct and dedication.   . Most of them were from Southern parts of the country. The caretaker Sadhu of the  Shiva Temple at Karapora Aabi, Rainawari  (near the shrine of Miyan Shah Sahib ) from South India, was quite popular with the residents of the locality. He would daily perform Abhisheka of the deity and also do  Puja and Aarti with great devotion, apart from keeping the temple premises clean and tidy. I have often seen him during evening hours doing something unusual. He would go to the vacant land adjacent to the temple and keep rubbing some wild green plants with his hands for hours. The resin of the green leaves or soft branches would be transferred to a small container after scrubbing it off his hands. Something dark, semi-solid ball not bigger than a small pebble would be collected by him that he would keep in a box inside his room in the temple complex. One day, my friend Tej Krishen Kaul Kataal said this to me:-

“Swami Ji is a perfect  gentleman, but he smokes locally extracted Charas in his Chillum. He extracts Charas and Bhaang from the same plant. He makes Pakoras of Bhaang leaves. He dries these leaves and crushes them to make a powder that he consumes with milk. Swami Ji makes about 5 gm of Charas in six hours of hand rubbing the plants. Sometimes, I too have some puffs from Swami Ji’s Chillum. I keep laughing at everything after some puffs and also feel sleepy. I also talk too much.  "

I have seen many people behaving unusually after consuming Bhaang or smoking Charas. I knew a baker in Rainawari who was addicted to Charas that he would procure from a shop on Red Cross Road behind KMDA bus Adda in Srinagar. He would fill a small quantity of Charas in his cigarette and smoke it, leaving a typical odour and dark blue smoke for his customers. Many friends would say that he has 'opened his third eye now, and his vision is clear' .  He would start chattering about irrelevant things with his customers for hours.  He would laugh without purpose. Ghulam Nabi, the driver living a little away from our house, was another Charas addict. He would come to his home around 11 pm every day, crying and making a loud noise. Sometimes, he would come singing loudly.  At the time of the Amar Nath Ji Yatra in Kashmir, we would see all types of Aghori and Naga Sadhus smoking Charas. These Sadhus would keep some wet cloth wrapped to the base of the Chillum, and before starting their first puff, many among them would say,’Bum Bum Bhole. “or 'Jai Trilochana, Jai Naagbhushana, Jai Aghori Baba “

                                             

Though people are abusing numerous prohibited substances, cannabis, heroin, Charas, and tobacco are being sold as some of the most prevalent drugs in India, luring young minds and making them fall prey to a disastrous epidemic. These harmful substances are resulting in a potential threat to the health and social aspects of families. Some years back, I saw many Bhaang shops operated by Government in the UP State. In Mathura, I was told that Bhaang Pakoras and Bhaang Lassi are easily available at some shops. Despite the prohibition, many people in India continue to make and enjoy the Charas. Charas is an important cash crop for many communities in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Sometimes referred to as the "black gold" of the Himalayas, Charas has deep roots in herbalism and religion. Charas has amassed serious levels of cultural capital, being intertwined with religious and folkloric practices and rituals from the very beginning. In America and Europe, the product used by addicts is known as Marijuana, in North Africa as kief, in South Africa as dagga, and in Arabia and Egypt as Hashish. While Hashish is made from a dead cannabis plant, Charas is extracted from a live one.

CHARAS TAKIAS OF KASHMIR 

Charas was consumed in Kashmir by many, including Fakirs, religious men, Sadhus, saints and Darvesh category individuals. It was easily available at some identified spots. People would consume it in groups, too. In the olden days, Charas-Takia was a place for group smoking. There were Charas Takias in Maisuma, Zainakadal, Rainawari, Taashwan (Fateh Kadal), Zaaldagar, Safa Kadal, Batmaloo, Saraf Kadal, Kalashpora, Narwara and many more places. The addict to Charas was known as Shoda. At these Takias, Shodas would spend the whole day, pay some money to the manager (Takiadaar) and listen to Sufiana Music, doing no other economic activity. Every Takia was paying taxes to the government. Charas was also consumed by singers and listeners in Mehfil e Sama. To grant some social acceptance to Charas smoking, some Kashmiris would say, "charsi kabhi na marsi " or 'a Charas addict never dies '. Charas smoking makes a man short-tempered. Accordingly, a Short-tempered person was nicknamed ‘Shoda’ in the Kashmiri society.

Kashmiris were also using Bhaang. Powdered leaves of the Bhaang plant mixed with milk or water were called Bhang-Sheera. Bhaang was used by some people in the olden days. Now Bhaang consumption is nowhere to be seen in Kashmir and Takias of Shodas have also been dismantled after 1947. But Charas consumption has spread to the entire length and breadth of the Kashmir valley among the youth.

CHARAS AND GAANJA

Though charas, Gaanja and Bhaang all are collected from the same plant, Cannabis Sativa, they are different. Charas is made by rubbing the buds of the cannabis plant in your hands while Bhaang is made by drying, grinding, and soaking the buds and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike Charas, Bhaang is not used for smoking. Charas (cannabis indica), Bhaang and Gaanja are narcotic drugs or hallucinogenic products which are obtained from different parts of the Cannabis sativa plant.  They have sleep-inducing properties and are highly addictive. Cannabis sativa is a hemp plant. Charas is made from the resin of cannabis plants. It is obtained from the resinous secretion from the flowering tops of female plants. Bhaang is an edible preparation of cannabis which is used in food and drink, it is mixed with milk. It is obtained from fresh and dried leaves and the flowering shoots of male and female plants. Ganja is a Hindi name for hemp, which is also a preparation from cannabis sativa. It is obtained from an unfertilised female inflorescence.

                                             

Some years back, this writer saw many Bhaang shops operated by Government in the UP State. In Mathura, this author was told that Bhaang Pakoras are also available along with Bhaang Lassi at some shops. Apart from Kashmir, Chars is also grown illegally in Parvati Valley (Himachal Pradesh). Despite its illegality, charas has become one of the dominant cash crops in both the Anantnag district (Kashmir) and the Parvati Valley (H.P.)

Grown on a commercial scale in the Anantnag district, many individuals have made a fortune from its illegal sale, which has affected the social life and value system of the society. It is sad to see that this addiction has become rampant among youth in Kashmir at present. Day in and day out, we read in newspapers about police parties seizing cannabis from vehicles or individuals in J&K. Hidden skillfully, the Charas is illegally sent out of Kashmir like apples and other fruits. 

 SOME SERIOUS ILL EFFECTS OF CHARAS CONSUMPTION

In any case, Charas doesn’t do well to any person in respect of their physical and mental health, apart from rendering addicts idle and incapable of performing gainful economic activity. Consumption of Charas can have grave risks. Some people may get anxious, paranoid, or have panic attacks, especially if they take too much. Long-term use of Charas can cause mental health problems like sadness, anxiety disorders, and memory loss. It also affects the cardiovascular system by raising the heart rate and possibly causing lung problems, especially when burned. Although it gives a false sense of well-being, Charas plays havoc with memory and judgment. Our body shows signs of an allergy, a condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. It creates coordination problems and trouble walking actively.

 According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), repeated abuse of Charas during teenage years may result in long-lasting changes in brain function that can hinder educational, professional, and social achievements. Charas abuse can make people experience a combination of physical and mental effects, and the body experiences more negative symptoms when used frequently. Sometimes people who are dependent upon the regular use of Charas can get diagnosed with severe mental illness. Charas addiction is a chronic disease and thus requires effective treatment.

SOME NEWS ITEMS RELATING TO THE SEIZURE OF CHARAS BY POLICE

 

“In 2017, the ANC managed to crack down on key suppliers from the region and recovered cannabis worth Rs 1.40 crore in Mumbai. Haji Abdul Rehman Ali Mohammad Sheikh, 67, a resident of Anantnag district of Kashmir, who allegedly supplied 25-30kg of Charas to the city every month was arrested in July, along with his aide Irfaan Maisar Qureshi, a 42-year-old taxi driver from Nagpada. The police recovered 21kg of Charas (worth Rs 80 lakh) from them. “

(Source Hindustan Times, Feb 6, 2018)

 

“The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Jammu and Kashmir Police foiled a bid to smuggle Charas worth lakhs of rupees on Thursday. The ANTF seized 18 kilograms of Charas from the accused and arrested two individuals in Jammu. A specialised unit tasked with controlling the drug problem in the area received information that a Hyundai i20 car with two passengers would be carrying a large quantity of Charas. The vehicle was on its way from the Kashmir valley to Punjab via Jammu.”

(Source India Today, Oct 1, 2021)

“A police spokesperson said, “Acting on specific inputs, a police party from Police Station Bijbehara laid a Naka at Zirpara. During the check, a Hyundai Creta (Registration No.. JK02CX-6665) was intercepted. Upon thorough search of the vehicle, approximately 1.250 kilograms of Charas powder-like substance was recovered along with ₹2.48 lakh in cash.”

(Source Rising Kashmir, May 18, 2025)

“The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), formed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration,n has seized a large consignment of drugs to curb narcotics smuggling. The task force recovered a consignment of 49 kilograms of Charas from a truck travelling from South Kashmir to Nashik in Maharashtra. The police have detained the truck driver who was carrying such a large consignment. SP Vinay Sharma informed reporters that the ANTF received credible information that a narcotics consignment was in truck number PB13AF-1246 travelling from Kashmir to Jammu. Acting on this information, police personnel set up a checkpoint near Batra Hospital in the Siddra area. As soon as the truck reached Siddra, the police personnel stopped it. During the search of the truck, the consignment of Charas was recovered from inside.”

 (Google Translation from Hindi  ...Source: Dainik Jagran,  July 9, 2020)

"Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday seized over 30 kilograms of Charas powder during a series of coordinated raids in Wantrag village, Anantnag district. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the case."

(Source: Kashmir Life, April 6, 2025)

Every day, newspapers inform us that illegally smuggled Charas has been seized by the police and the culprits arrested.  We don’t know how much is precisely smuggled out and how much is stopped by police action. It needs public awareness as well to weed out this menace from society.  The well-known Kashmir poet Rahman Rahi has written a satirical sonnet, ‘Soun Gaam’ or ‘Our Village’, which depicts the incongruities of social life in Kashmir. It also mentions “Charas Trade” as an important activity to acquire wealth. I quote some lines from this poem translated into English by Sualeh Keen .

 

“Our village is better off as a village; call it not a city

It receives sap from Deen-dharma; make it not thirsty

This farmer friend diverts the village canal for his urgent use

This travelling trader sells woollen shawls as authentic Shahtoos

This is the land of rishis, from every corner are expected offerings

Bedlam is unleashed when a dervish releases from his Chillum smoke rings

It is here I saw in a garden Shakti in the embrace of Shiva held

It is here in tightly draped rooms that blue films are beheld

Tourists will be camping there, if this saw goes into the jungle

And if your eyes are irritated, it is I who is burning diesel

Qur’an I’ve heard as well, but I’ve got to place on the market my daughter

Throw a recitation party too, I will, if successful, is my “Charas venture”

 

(Avtar Mota) 

 

PS

(1)

The text is published copyright material. Needs specific permission from the author for its usage anywhere   in any form by any person. 

(2)

Charas, Bhaang and Gaanja are listed under Section 2 in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985. Consumption in any form and sale or purchase of these drugs / substances  is illegal in India . These drugs/ substances have ill effects on the physical and mental health of a person . These can even kill a person. 

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