Srinagar, May 15, KNT: The renewed political debate over liquor sales in Jammu and Kashmir has once again brought focus to major policy decisions taken under successive administrations over the past several years.
The controversy intensified after BJP workers staged protests demanding a ban on liquor sales, while leaders from the ruling alliance accused the party of expanding the liquor trade during previous governments.
Below is a timeline of major liquor policy-related developments in Jammu and Kashmir:
2017: Excise Policy Introduced During PDP-BJP Government
The Excise Policy of 2017, implemented during the PDP-BJP coalition government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, identified Municipal Wards and Tehsils as the basis for determining “unreserved areas” for the establishment of liquor vends.
The policy later became a major political reference point in debates surrounding expansion of liquor outlets in urban and semi-urban areas.
2018–2019: Expansion of Licensed Liquor Vends
Over the following years, licensed liquor shops continued operating across various districts, particularly in Jammu division and selected urban pockets. The issue periodically triggered opposition from religious groups, civil society members, and political organizations in Kashmir.
2019: Jammu and Kashmir Reorganized as Union Territory
Following the abrogation of Article 370 and reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in August 2019, administrative control over excise and licensing matters continued under the new governance framework.
2021–2022: New Excise Auctions and Policy Changes
Fresh excise auctions and revised licensing procedures were introduced under the Union Territory administration. Several new liquor vends were auctioned during this period, sparking protests in parts of Kashmir and Jammu.
2022: Liquor Sales Allowed in Departmental and Grocery Stores
One of the most debated developments emerged in 2022 when liquor sales, including beer, were reportedly permitted in some departmental and grocery stores under revised licensing provisions.
The move triggered widespread criticism from religious organizations, political parties, and civil society groups, with protests reported in multiple districts.
Political parties accused the administration of attempting to expand liquor accessibility in socially sensitive areas.
2023–2025: Repeated Political and Public Opposition
The issue of liquor sales remained politically sensitive, with repeated demands for prohibition raised by religious leaders, social activists, and opposition parties.
Protests against newly opened liquor shops were reported intermittently across several parts of Kashmir.
2026: BJP Protest and Political Counterattack
The debate resurfaced sharply after BJP workers marched toward the Chief Minister’s residence in Srinagar demanding a ban on liquor sales and consumption.
The liquor policy issue continues to remain politically and socially sensitive in Jammu and Kashmir, with competing narratives emerging over accountability, public sentiment, revenue considerations, and social impact.
The sale and regulation of liquor in Jammu and Kashmir did not begin in recent years and predates the 2017 Excise Policy by several decades.
Historical records and administrative practices indicate that liquor sale in the erstwhile state existed during the pre-2017 period under different governments and political dispensations, though the scale, licensing pattern, and public visibility varied over time.
Liquor availability in Jammu and Kashmir historically remained more visible in Jammu region, tourist circuits, defense-linked areas, and select urban pockets, while Kashmir valley witnessed comparatively fewer openly operating liquor outlets because of strong religious and social opposition.
During the pre-1990 period, licensed liquor shops and bars operated under the Excise Department framework of the erstwhile state government. Hotels catering to tourists, particularly in Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Jammu, were permitted to serve alcohol under regulated licenses.
After the onset of militancy in the 1990s, liquor trade in Kashmir significantly reduced in visibility due to security conditions, social pressure, and repeated attacks or protests targeting liquor shops and wine stores.
However, the trade was never formally abolished through a complete legal prohibition law in Jammu and Kashmir.
Over the years, successive governments led by different political parties, including the Indian National Congress, National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, and later coalition arrangements involving the Bharatiya Janata Party, continued operating excise systems through annual licensing and auctions.
A major political controversy emerged in 2005 during the Congress-PDP coalition government after proposals linked to liquor vending and tourism-related permissions triggered opposition from religious groups and separatist organizations in Kashmir.
In 2016 and 2017, debates intensified further after the High Court and subsequent administrative decisions touched upon the location of liquor vends along highways and in municipal areas.
The 2017 Excise Policy later became one of the most politically debated frameworks because it expanded the identification of “unreserved areas” using Municipal Wards and Tehsils, leading opponents to accuse the government of widening liquor accessibility.
Political parties today continue blaming each other over the expansion of liquor trade, but historical records indicate that regulated liquor sale existed in Jammu and Kashmir long before 2017 under multiple administrations and through the Excise Department system inherited from earlier state governance structures.
No government in Jammu and Kashmir has so far implemented a complete statutory prohibition on liquor sale and consumption across the entire region. [KNT]
Liquor Policy Timeline in Jammu and Kashmir
• Pre-1990s: Licensed liquor shops, bars, and hotel permits existed under the J&K Excise Department, mainly in Jammu, tourist destinations, and select urban areas.
• 1990s: Liquor trade visibility sharply declined in Kashmir following the onset of militancy, social opposition, and repeated protests against wine shops.
• 2005: Liquor sale and tourism-linked permissions triggered controversy during the Congress-PDP coalition government amid protests from religious and political groups.
• 2016: Debate intensified after court-related discussions and administrative decisions concerning liquor shops along highways and populated areas.
• 2017: PDP-BJP government introduced Excise Policy using Municipal Wards and Tehsils to identify “unreserved areas” for liquor vends, triggering major political criticism.
• 2021–2022: Fresh liquor vend auctions and revised licensing procedures introduced under the Union Territory administration.
• 2022: Reports of liquor and beer sales being permitted in some departmental and grocery stores sparked widespread protests across Kashmir.
• 2026: BJP protests demanding liquor ban met with counterattacks from ruling alliance leaders, who accused BJP of expanding liquor trade during earlier administrations.
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