Bihar's alcohol ban, enforced since 2016, has created deep divisions across the state as elections approach. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's prohibition policy has split public opinion sharply along gender lines. Women largely support the ban, crediting it with reducing domestic violence, improving household finances, and bringing peace to homes. They believe it has prevented the younger generation from developing drinking habits. In contrast, men across various caste groups want the ban lifted, arguing that liquor remains available but at higher prices, and that only poor people end up in jail. The policy has become politically contentious, with parties like CPI(ML)L and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj promising to lift the ban if elected. Meanwhile, the state has lost thousands of crores in excise revenue while smuggling flourishes. The prohibition debate now defines Nitish Kumar's campaign strategy, particularly among female voters who benefit from welfare schemes.
Gender Divide Defines Prohibition Debate Across Bihar Villages
In Muzaffarpur's Rewa village, 35-year-old Lallan Sahani and his friends criticize the liquor ban, saying it has made alcohol more expensive while only punishing the poor. His mother, 50-year-old Asha Devi, angrily defends the policy, recalling how her drunk husband would make unrealistic promises. Similar scenes unfold in Siwan and Gopalganj, where men from various castes demand the ban be lifted, calling it Nitish Kumar's only mistake. Women in these villages disagree strongly. They acknowledge illegal liquor still exists but appreciate reduced domestic quarrels, fewer road accidents, and declining alcohol habits among youth. This gender-based split has become a defining feature of Bihar's political landscape during the current election campaign.
Source: Link