On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sparked a controversy after linking alcohol consumption to freedom of choice, saying his government had not increased the number of liquor shops in the Union Territory. “Has anybody forced you to drink? You are going to liquor shops by your own choice. Why do you go? We are not dragging you there,” Omar said when asked about liquor shops. “We are not even advertising liquor sales. Our government has not increased the number of alcohol shops.” A day later, Omar attempted a clarification, saying liquor shops cater to people whose “religion allows them to consume alcohol”. But the issue snowballed into a controversy, with rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference’s own MP Aga Ruhullah targeting him. The NC, in turn, accused the PDP of double standards over its own position on liquor sales during its coalition government with the BJP.…