Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retracted his earlier statement as “issued hastily without context”. File. | Photo credit: PTI
The Jammu and Kashmir government’s stance on the sale of liquor became a hot political issue on Monday (May 11, 2026) as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retracted earlier remarks that “No one forced anyone to consume liquor” amid mounting criticism and a spate of online memes attacking his position.
The ruling National Conference (NC) MP, Aga Syed Ruhullah, joined the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and criticized Mr Abdullah for his approach to selling liquor in J&K, while the BJP supported the CM.
Speaking on Sunday (May 10, 2026) about the demands to ban alcohol, Mr Abdullah said: “No one has forced local residents to consume alcohol.”
It drew sharp responses from opposition parties and networks, with memes being posted that contrasted with Mr. Abdullah’s previous stand before he was elected CM when he spoke against the growing number of liquor shops in J&K.
CM shrinks under pressure
On the back foot, Mr Abdullah retracted his earlier statement as “hastily issued without context”.
“Islam does not allow us to consume alcohol. We have never promoted it. However, this place is inhabited by different schools of thought. There are individuals whose religion allows consumption of alcohol, including non-local tourists and workers from outside J&K,” Mr Abdullah said. “Our aim is to steer the youth away from the wrong path,” Abdullah added.
Mr. Ruhullah, an NC MP who has been critical of the CM in the past too, has called for a ban on all shops in J&K. “I think liquor shops should not exist at all. Many local youth also consume alcohol because of its availability. Closing the shops would automatically block access to alcohol,” MP Ruhullah said.
MP Ruhullah asked the government to “act on its campaign promises to regulate or ban the sale of alcohol”, saying: “If strict action can be taken against drugs, similar steps can be taken in the liquor sector.
NC accused of changing attitude
PDP leader Iltija Mufti, who held a press conference on the issue in Srinagar, accused the National Conference government of “changing its stance”.
Referring to Mr Abdullah’s remarks, Ms Mufti said: “If this logic is accepted, then drug dealers can also say that they are not forcing anyone to consume drugs.
Ms Mufti objected to Mr Abdullah’s statement that a certain religion allowed alcohol, saying: “No religion promotes intoxication. Be it Islam, Hinduism or Sikhism, no religion promotes alcohol or drugs. Alcohol is prohibited in Islam and the government has ignored the sentiments of the Muslim majority in Jammu and Kashmir,” said M Mufti.
In a war of videos, both NC and PDP leaders took to social media with their respective leaders’ past statements, mostly leaning towards a soft policy towards the sale of liquor in J&K.
Legislation alone will not work
Meanwhile, the BJP said that “no government can completely stop alcohol consumption through legislation alone”.
“Governments across the country have tried to ban alcohol consumption only through laws. 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 imposing laws,” J&K BJP general secretary Ashok Koul said.
Mr Koul said that wherever such laws were enforced, “the situation got worse”.
Published – 12 May 2026 02:28 IST
