2 months ago
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Scores of section BJP leaders and activists connected Friday (May 15, 2026) marched towards the residence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah successful Srinagar, demanding a implicit prohibition connected the merchantability of liquor successful the Union Territory (UT). The constabulary detained respective BJP leaders to foil the march.
The protesters gathered connected Srinagar’s Gupkar Road, which houses the residences of respective elder politicians, including Mr. Abdullah. Carrying banners and placards, the protesters opposed the cognition of vino shops successful the Kashmir Valley.
“We are protesting against the merchantability of liquor. We judge determination has to beryllium a liquor-free run successful tune with the drug-free thrust successful J&K. Unfortunately, CM Abdullah is justifying the merchantability of liquor by saying those who privation to portion should bash so. We condemn his statement,” said BJP spokesperson Sajid Yousuf Shah.
“Besides terrorism, intoxicant and drugs are besides sidesplitting section youth. It should beryllium banned,” said different BJP leader.
The constabulary foiled the march and detained respective BJP leaders, including Altaf Thakur, Sahil Bhat and Sajid Yousuf Shah, Arif Raja and Anwar Khan.
Reacting to the protest, a National Conference (NC) spokesperson said, “One indispensable inquire which authorities was successful powerfulness successful J&K erstwhile the 2017 Excise Policy made municipal wards and tehsils the ground for identifying unreserved areas? And which authorities was successful bureau successful 2022 erstwhile liquor income were permitted successful market shops?”
Dismissing the protest, J&K Minister Satish Sharma said the BJP is successful the Opposition and has to bash this. “The BJP has been rejected for the adjacent 60 months successful J&K. Let them protest. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is taking J&K to caller heights of development. We volition proceed connected that path,” said Mr. Sharma.
According to J&K authorities figures, liquor income generated implicit ₹3,450 crore successful gross for the Union Territory implicit the past 3 fiscal years. Official information suggested that Jammu territory unsocial has much than 140 vino shops and 84 bars. In the Kashmir valley, Srinagar has 7 vino shops and 4 bars, with liquor income amounting to ₹76.32 crore successful 2024–25.
In 2025, the J&K Excise Department approved caller liquor outlets successful 10 districts of the Jammu part and 4 districts of the Kashmir division.
