Srinagar, Feb. 12 -- Expressing strong views on the matter, Hafiz Lateef, social media user, tweeted, "If beef is banned in other states of India where the majority is Hindu, out of respect for Hindu sentiments, why is alcohol easily available in Kashmir, where the majority is Muslim, disregarding Muslim sentiments? Ban alcohol in Kashmir!"

Similarly, Saurabh Gautam posted on X: "Alcohol has been banned in Gujarat for over a quarter century. It was done as a state government initiative. If the J&K government bans it, then it will be in good company."

The growing demand for declaring Jammu and Kashmir a dry state is reflected in legislative efforts, with three MLAs taking the lead in pushing for a ban. People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA...