SRINAGAR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday staged a protest in Srinagar against the sale of liquor in Kashmir, demanding a complete ban on alcohol in the Valley and warning the Omar Abdullah-led government against permitting liquor outlets to operate.
Scores of BJP leaders and workers assembled at Sonwar and marched towards Gupkar Road, raising slogans against the National Conference government over what the party termed as an attempt to “promote liquor culture” in Kashmir. The protesters later tried to move towards the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The protest was led by senior BJP leaders, who accused the government of ignoring the religious and social sensitivities of the people of Kashmir for revenue generation.
Speaking to reporters, J&K BJP Spokesperson Altaf Thakur framed the issue as a battle for the soul of the Valley. He accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of actively promoting the sale of intoxicants, which he claims contradicts the spiritual heritage of the region.
Thakur issued a formal “warning” to the ruling party, suggesting that the BJP is prepared to take the law into its own hands if the government does not reverse its stance on liquor licensing.” BJP Kashmir is against all kinds of intoxicants.
National Conference wants to drown the local youth in liquor. They are supporting liquor. This is the land of sages. We will not allow liquor stores to open on this land, he said.
If the Omar Govt does not take note of it, we will continue our protest and the BJP will lock down the liquor stores. This is a warning for the party which is supporting liquor for revenue,” said Thakur.
The protest comes amid an ongoing political debate over liquor sales in Jammu and Kashmir after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently defended the existence of liquor outlets, saying nobody was being forced to consume alcohol and that such shops catered to tourists and people whose religion permits drinking.
The remarks triggered reactions from several political and religious groups, with many demanding a complete ban on liquor in Kashmir.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah had also recently weighed in on the controversy, saying even Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had not imposed prohibition in Jammu and Kashmir due to financial implications linked to government revenue.
Meanwhile National Conference has reacted to the protest soon after the BJP leaders and workers gathering outside the CM residence and accused the BJP of bringing the excise policy in the J&K.
We fully respect the sentiments of these 20 BJP workers. But one must ask: which government was in power in J&K when the 2017 Excise Policy made Municipal Wards and Tehsils the basis for identifying unreserved areas? And which government was in office in 2022 when liquor sales were permitted in grocery shops?,” NC wrote on X.
