A political conflict has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's recent remarks regarding alcohol consumption. Abdullah stated that individuals choose to consume alcohol voluntarily and that the government does not mandate visits to liquor shops. In response, Iltija Mufti, a leader from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the government of inconsistency and called for a ban on alcohol, emphasizing that no religion condones alcohol consumption. She pointed out that states like Gujarat and Bihar, which have significant Hindu populations, have successfully banned alcohol, questioning why the same cannot happen in a Muslim-majority region like Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah defended his position, noting that no government has ever banned alcohol shops in the region and that his administration has taken steps to regulate alcohol availability. He criticized the opposition for using his statements to distract from their own failures. The debate highlights the cultural and political sensitivities surrounding alcohol consumption in the region.