Political tensions escalated in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday after the BJP harshly criticized the National Conference government and warned of closing liquor outlets if the administration continues to put “revenue over morality”.
The protest, led by BJP workers and leaders in Srinagar, turned into a sharp political confrontation between the opposition party and the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), with the BJP threatening to take direct action if the government does not reconsider its stance on liquor outlets, news agency ANI reported.
BJP holds protest in Srinagar
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP held a protest march in Srinagar demanding a complete ban on the sale and purchase of liquor in Kashmir district. Party workers gathered at Ram Munshibagh in Sonwar district and tried to march towards Prime Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence in Gupkar.
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During the protest, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur strongly criticized the government, alleging that the administration was encouraging the sale of intoxicants in the Valley despite religious and cultural sensitivities.
Speaking to reporters, Thakur said that the issue is not only political, but is linked to the identity and traditions of Kashmir.
“BJP Kashmir is against all kinds of intoxicants. The National Conference wants to indulge the local youth in liquor. They are supporting liquor. This is the land of the wise. We will not allow liquor shops to open on this land. If the Omar government does not take note of this, we will continue our protest and the BJP will close liquor shops. This is a warning to the party that supports liquor for revenue,” Thakur said.
The BJP leader’s remarks escalated the standoff, with the party openly warning that it would close liquor shops if the administration failed to act.
Why did the controversy break out?
The controversy comes days after Prime Minister Omar Abdullah defended the administration’s approach towards liquor shops in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the government was not encouraging alcohol consumption but allowing legal access to those whose religious beliefs permit it.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Abdullah said that no previous government in Jammu and Kashmir had imposed a complete ban on liquor outlets.
“These (wine) shops are specifically intended for individuals whose religious beliefs permit them to consume alcohol. No government in Jammu and Kashmir has, so far, imposed a complete ban on these establishments. This does not mean that we wish to encourage increased consumption; it simply means that those whose religious beliefs permit the use or consumption of alcohol are free to do so,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that the administration has taken necessary precautions to ensure that the consumption of alcoholic beverages does not affect the youth in the area.
“Our religion does not give us such permission, and we do not wish to see people drawn towards this path. As a result, our administration has implemented two or three major measures. First, we have not opened any new liquor shops. Second, we have made every concerted effort to ensure that no such shop is located in a place that might tempt our youth to stray down the wrong path,” he said.
A political flashpoint in Kashmir
The issue has now emerged as a new political flashpoint in Jammu and Kashmir, with the BJP trying to corner the National Conference government over liquor sales and cultural sensitivities in the Valley.
While the Omar Abdullah government has maintained that it is not expanding access to alcohol and is merely continuing the existing policy framework, the BJP has sharpened its campaign by framing it as a matter of protecting local values and youth from intoxicants.
(with ANI inputs)
