On May 15, 2026, a significant protest organized by local leaders and activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took place in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, demanding a complete ban on liquor sales in the region. The march towards Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence on Gupkar Road was met with police resistance, resulting in the detention of several BJP leaders, including Sajid Yousuf Shah and Altaf Thakur. Shah criticized Abdullah's defense of liquor sales, arguing that a liquor-free campaign is essential to address issues of youth substance abuse. The protest highlighted the BJP's stance against alcohol, linking it to broader concerns over drug use in the region. In response, officials from the National Conference (NC) and the J&K government defended the existing policies, citing the substantial revenue generated from liquor sales, which amounted to over ₹3,450 crore (approximately $414 million USD) in the past three years. They pointed out that the current government had approved new liquor outlets in various districts to support economic development. Despite the BJP's opposition, government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing development in Jammu and Kashmir.