SRINAGAR: Following a protest by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence, which demanded a complete prohibition of alcohol in the Kashmir Valley, the ruling National Conference (NC) has softened its stance on the issue, indicating it would consider banning liquor sale and consumption in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, both Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah had dismissed calls for a liquor ban in the Union Territory (UT). However, on Saturday, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq stated, “Alcohol will be banned in J&K, and the NC government will do it.” Responding to questions about the BJP’s threat to initiate a hunger strike to push for their demands, Sadiq remarked, “Irrespective of BJP’s drama on the issue, the NC government would take a decision soon.”
The party’s shift in position appears to be a response to pressure from the BJP, which has indicated plans for protests from Qazigund in south Kashmir to Karnah along the Line of Control in the north if the NC government does not act. NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar mentioned that the issue is likely to be debated in the next Assembly session. “Already many private members have brought bills seeking liquor ban in the previous session of the assembly. These bills are likely to come up in the next session and will be decided,” he added, suggesting that the NC might support a private member’s bill on an alcohol ban.
The change in the NC’s stance comes after BJP officials criticized the current excise policy, which permits the establishment of liquor shops throughout Jammu and Kashmir. Previously, Omar Abdullah had incited controversy by stating that liquor shops were for those whose religions allow alcohol consumption, emphasizing that no one is compelled to drink against their will.
Farooq Abdullah echoed this sentiment, recalling that his father, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, had similarly rejected a call for a liquor ban during then Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s government in 1977, citing substantial revenue generated from alcohol sales. He further noted that enforcing prohibition in J&K would not necessarily prevent individuals from smuggling alcohol from outside.
The heightened debate around the liquor ban gained momentum after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha initiated a 100-day drive against drugs on April 11, prompting demands from both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP to extend the initiative to include liquor sales as well.
