NC Hits Back at BJP Over Liquor Ban Protest in Srinagar | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party after BJP workers staged a protest march in Srinagar seeking a ban on liquor sales in the Union Territory.

Reacting to the protest, the National Conference issued a sharp statement on its official social media handle, questioning the BJP’s stance on previous liquor-related policies implemented in the region.

“We fully respect the sentiments of these 20 BJP workers,” the party said in its post.

The National Conference further asked which government was in power in Jammu and Kashmir when the 2017 Excise Policy designated municipal wards and tehsils as areas for unreserved liquor sales.

The party also cited the 2022 decision permitting liquor sales in grocery and departmental stores, questioning which administration had approved the move at the time.

Earlier in the day, BJP workers marched towards the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, raising slogans in favour of a ban on the sale and consumption of liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.