Bihar's liquor ban, enacted in 2016 under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has become a contentious issue in the current state elections. Interestingly, the JD(U), which steered the Prohibition and Excise Act, remains silent on the matter, while opposition parties openly promise to revisit the law. The Mahagathbandhan manifesto pledges to review the Act and remove restrictions on toddy, offering immediate relief to poor people imprisoned for violations. Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has vowed to abolish prohibition within minutes of assuming power. The ban, initially introduced as a pro-women measure and a national platform for Nitish, has faced serious implementation challenges. Over 12.79 lakh arrests have been made since enforcement began, with more than 85 percent belonging to Scheduled Castes, EBCs, and OBCs. The law has resulted in multiple hooch tragedies claiming over 300 lives, court congestion, and an estimated illicit economy worth Rs 20,000 crore annually. While a 2024 Lancet report indicated 21 lakh women experienced zero domestic violence post-ban, the JD(U)'s electoral fortunes have not significantly improved. The party's seat count dropped from 71 in 2015 to 43 in 2020. With Nitish switching alliances multiple times since the ban's introduction, prohibition remains a politically sensitive topic that the NDA prefers to avoid during campaigning.
Opposition Promises to Revisit the Ban
The Mahagathbandhan, in its 32-page manifesto released on Tuesday, promised to review the Prohibition and Excise Act if elected. The coalition also committed to lifting the ban on tari (toddy) and providing immediate relief to Dalits and poor individuals imprisoned for violating the law. INDIA bloc's Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav highlighted the livelihood losses caused by the ban, noting that communities involved in the toddy business for generations now lack alternative income sources. Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has been the most vocal critic, repeatedly stating he would abolish the ban within 15 minutes of taking office. He argues that evidence-based policies worldwide show liquor bans are unenforceable, calling Bihar's law a total failure that has created an illicit economy worth Rs 20,000 crore annually. The CPI (M-L) Liberation led discussions within the Mahagathbandhan on this issue.
Implementation Challenges and Tragic Consequences
The prohibition law has proven extremely difficult to enforce since its introduction. Former Chief Justice of India N V Ramana remarked in December 2021 that the Bihar liquor law lacked administrative foresight, resulting in court congestion. Over 12.79 lakh people have been arrested under the law in nine years, with more than 85 percent belonging to Scheduled Castes, EBCs, and OBCs. The state has witnessed multiple hooch tragedies causing over 300 deaths in recent years. Initially, Nitish dismissed victims with the statement that those who drink will die, but in April 2023, he announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for families of all hooch tragedy victims since 2016. The government introduced several amendments, including waiving arrest provisions for first-time drinkers and imposing community fines and house confiscation for violators. Despite these measures, enforcement remains problematic due to limited police personnel and the porous Indo-Nepal border.
Political Origins and Electoral Impact
Nitish Kumar introduced the ban in April 2016 when heading a Mahagathbandhan government, after the coalition's sweeping 2015 victory. Initially, he implemented a partial ban excluding countrymade spirits and toddy, but following orchestrated protests by JEEViKA self-help group women, he passed a total ban on April 6, 2016. The ban was meant to provide Nitish a national platform and counter Prime Minister Modi's development narrative. Ironically, Nitish had introduced a liberalised liquor policy in 2005 that boosted state revenues from Rs 500 crore to over Rs 5,000 crore by 2015. The RJD, with its OBC Yadav base linked to liquor trade, initially opposed the ban but was overruled. A 2024 Lancet report showed 21 lakh women reported zero domestic violence after the ban. However, the JD(U)'s electoral performance declined, with seats falling from 71 in 2015 to 43 in 2020, nearly half the BJP's tally.
Source: Link