Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retracted his earlier statement as “one issued hurriedly without a context”. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Jammu and Kashmir Government’s attitude to liquor sales became a hot button political issue on Monday (May 11, 2026) with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retracting earlier remarks where he stated that “No one was forcing anyone to consume liquor” in the wake of growing criticism and a host of online memes attacking his position.
A ruling National Conference (NC) MP, Aga Syed Ruhullah, joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in criticising Mr. Abdullah for his take on the sale of liquor in J&K, while the BJP backed the CM.
Mr. Abdullah, speaking on Sunday (May 10, 2026) on demands to ban liquor, said, “No one was forcing locals to consume liquor.”
It drew sharp responses from Opposition parties and netizens, with memes being published that contrasted Mr. Abdullah’s previous stand, before he was elected as CM, when he spoke against the growing number of liquor shops in J&K.
CM retracts under pressure
On the backfoot, Mr. Abdullah retracted his earlier statement as “one issued hurriedly without a context”.
“Islam does not allow us to consume liquor. We never promoted it. However, different schools of thoughts inhabit this place. There are individuals whose religion permits the consumption of alcohol, including non-local tourists and workers from outside J&K,” said Mr. Abdullah. “Our effort is to steer the youth away from the wrong path,” Mr. Abdullah added.
Mr. Ruhullah, an NC MP, who has been critical of the CM in the past too, called for the banning of all outlets in J&K. “I think liquor outlets should not exist at all. Many local youths too consume alcohol because of its availability. Shutting shops would automatically block access to alcohol,” said MP Ruhullah.
Asking the government to “act on its election promises regarding regulation or ban of alcohol sales”, MP Ruhullah said, “If strict measures can be taken against drugs, similar steps can be taken on liquor policy as well.”
NC accused of changing its stand
PDP leader Iltija Mufti, who held a press conference in Srinagar over the issue, accused the National Conference government of “changing its stand”.
Referring to Mr. Abdullah’s remarks, Ms. Mufti said, “If this logic is accepted, then drug peddlers can also say they are not forcing anyone to consume drugs.
Objecting to Mr. Abdullah’s statement that a certain religion allows liquor, Ms. Mufti said, “No religion supports intoxication. Whether it is Islam, Hinduism or Sikhism, no religion promotes alcohol or drugs. Alcohol is prohibited in Islam and the government was ignoring the sentiments of the Muslim-majority population of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Ms. Mufti.
In a war of videos, leaders from the NC as well as the PDP took to social media handles with past statements of their leaders where they mostly leaned towards a lenient policy towards liquor sales in J&K.
Legislation alone won’t work
Meanwhile, the BJP said “no government can completely stop alcohol consumption through legislation alone.”
“Governments across the country have struggled to prohibit alcohol consumption through laws alone. There should be awareness to stop consumption of alcohol and drugs. It is not possible for any government to stop people from consuming alcohol by introducing laws,” said J&K BJP general secretary Ashok Koul.
Mr. Koul said wherever such laws have been enforced, “the situation has become even worse”.
Published – May 12, 2026 02:28 am IST
