Omar Abdullah seems to be in a dilemma regarding the alcohol issue as he retracts from his earlier retort where he discarded the question aimed at him in a casual manner. However the casual retort did not sit well with the majority of the people. He stands paradoxical as some members of his own government earlier wanted a ban on the same.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has defended his remarks on liquor outlets in Jammu and Kashmir, saying his comments are being taken out of context by political opponents and clarified that there is “no confusion” in his position.
Speaking on the issue, he said wine shops in the Union Territory are intended specifically for individuals whose religious beliefs permit alcohol consumption. He added that no government in Jammu and Kashmir has ever imposed a complete ban on such establishments.
Omar Abdullah clarified that this does not imply any encouragement of alcohol consumption. “It simply means that those whose religious tenets allow the use or consumption of alcohol are free to do so,” he said, adding that his own religion does not permit alcohol use and that there is no intention to promote it.
He further stated that his government has taken certain measures, including not opening any new liquor shops and ensuring that existing outlets are not located in areas where they could adversely influence young people or encourage harmful behaviour.
The Chief Minister said his remarks were often made during brief roadside interactions with the media, where limited time can lead to incomplete explanations that are later “misrepresented” by critics.
He also accused his political opponents of attempting to exploit the statement to “mask their own past failures,” and stated that similar positions have been recorded in past official discussions, including references made in the Assembly.
Reiterating his stand, Omar Abdullah said the policy context remains unchanged and urged against politicising the issue.
Iltija Mufti demands ban on alcohol
The political controversy surrounding Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks on liquor shops in Kashmir intensified further on Monday after Iltija Mufti launched a sharp attack on the National Conference leader, accusing him of making an “expected U-turn” on the issue and ignoring the religious sensitivities of the majority community in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a strongly worded statement posted on social media, Iltija Mufti questioned the logic behind Omar Abdullah’s remarks defending the continuation of the liquor trade in Kashmir and his argument that people belonging to religions permitting alcohol consumption should not face restrictions.
“JK CM’s expected U-turn on the refusal to prohibit liquor shops lacks logic. He claims it’s wrong to impose a ban on Hindus consuming alcohol since their religion doesn’t forbid it. If this is the case how have Hindu majority states like Gujarat & Bihar banned alcohol successfully without a whimper?” Iltija Mufti wrote.
She further said that while Jammu and Kashmir takes pride in its secular credentials, it was “deeply unfortunate and insensitive” for the Chief Minister to dismiss what she described as the religious sensitivities of the majority population with indifference.
“We are proud of J&K’s secular credentials but deeply unfortunate & insensitive for its Chief Minister to dismiss the religious sensibilities of the majority with such indifference,” she said.
