Srinagar, May 15 (UNI) Several leaders and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday were detained by police in Srinagar after they attempted to march towards Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence at Gupkar to seek a complete ban on the sale and purchase of liquor in the Kashmir region.
The protest march, organised by the BJP’s Kashmir unit, started from Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, where party workers assembled and raised slogans demanding a complete ban on the sale and purchase of liquor in the Valley.
Protesters shouted slogans against the ruling National Conference (NC) for its failure to ban alcohol in the region. Police intercepted the protesters before they could proceed towards Gupkar Road and detained several BJP leaders along with many party workers.
BJP state co-media incharge Sajid Yousuf Shah demanded an immediate ban on liquor in the Valley.
“A message was given to Omar Abdullah sahib that BJP’s Kashmir unit wants a ban on liquor sale in Kashmir. The ruling party’s ministers are justifying the liquor sale and our protest was also aimed at condemning it,” Shah said.
The ruling NC hit out at the BJP “hypocrisy” on the liquor. It alleged that BJP itself facilitated liquor policy changes.
“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?,” the NC posted on X.
The protest by BJP comes amid an ongoing political debate over liquor sales in Jammu and Kashmir.
The political row erupted over a remark by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that no one was being forced to consume alcohol and that people visited liquor shops by their own choice.
The remarks drew criticism from opposition parties and sections of the public.
A day later, the Chief Minister clarified his statement, saying his comments were being “twisted” by political opponents.
Former Chief Minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah also joined the debate, saying if the Centre compensates the union Territory for the revenue losses it would ban liquor in two minutes.
