JAMMU, May 12: Dr. Varinder Sharma, Co-convener of the Health Cell, BJP Jammu & Kashmir, has extended his full support to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s measured and constitutionally grounded response to the ongoing liquor controversy in the Union Territory. Dr. Sharma believes that the debate, whilst important, must be approached with reason rather than rhetoric. Dr. Sharma firmly asserts that Jammu & Kashmir is one of India’s most celebrated tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors from across the country and the world every year. Given the enormous volume of tourists, many of whom come from cultures and communities where alcohol consumption is entirely legal and socially accepted, a blanket prohibition on liquor would be neither practical nor justifiable. The presence of licensed liquor vends is an essential part of hospitality infrastructure in any major tourist region, and Kashmir is no exception.
Dr. Sharma further underscores that Jammu & Kashmir is a Union Territory of India, and therefore all laws, rights, and provisions guaranteed under the Indian Constitution apply here in full measure. The sale and consumption of alcohol is entirely lawful in India, and any policy must be consistent with the constitutional and legal framework of the nation. It would be improper to impose localised restrictions that contradict national law and undermine the rights of citizens and visitors alike. Dr. Sharma also highlights that even several Muslim-majority nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, permit the sale of alcohol in regulated settings. This serves as a reminder that governance must be pragmatic and inclusive.
Importantly, Dr. Sharma draws a clear and principled distinction between the issue of drug abuse and the regulated sale of alcohol. The two are fundamentally different matters — both legally and medically — and conflating them does a disservice to the genuine public health concerns around narcotics. A sober, evidence-based approach demands that policymakers treat these as separate issues.
Finally, Dr. Sharma welcomes the normalcy that has been restored in the region. Incidents such as the tragic killing of a liquor shop owner in earlier years belong to a troubled past. Today’s Jammu & Kashmir is moving forward, and its policies must reflect that progress.