The discussion around the potential reevaluation of Bihar’s liquor prohibition policy has intensified following the appointment of Samrat Choudhary as Chief Minister. This speculation comes amid growing demands for the state to reconsider its ban on liquor sales, originally imposed by former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The online discourse surrounding this topic surged prior to Choudhary officially taking office on Wednesday.

One significant development was the public endorsement of liquor availability by Mokama MLA Anant Singh, widely known as “Bahubali.” Singh stated to journalists, “Liquor should be available again,” and expressed his intent to communicate this perspective to the new Chief Minister. This backing from a prominent political figure has added weight to the calls for lifting the ban.

Before assuming his role, Choudhary acknowledged the negative impact of the prohibition on the state’s revenue, a sentiment that many interpret as a hint towards possibly reassessing the ban on liquor sales in Bihar. Although he had previously shown support for Nitish Kumar’s position on prohibition, describing it as a decisive action, the current climate suggests shifting attitudes.

Background of Bihar’s Liquor Prohibition

Bihar became one of the first states to adopt a complete prohibition policy when Nitish Kumar implemented a total ban on the sale and consumption of liquor in 2016. This move was largely aimed at addressing issues related to domestic violence and financial strain due to alcoholism, particularly as reported by women voters who raised these concerns. While the ban aimed to garner support from female constituents, it also led to a rise in illegal alcohol sales, with numerous fatalities reported in connection to illicit liquor consumption.

Critics have pointed out that the prohibition did not effectively curb alcohol consumption, which merely transitioned to the black market. In fact, Bihar reportedly suffers substantial financial losses due to this ban, with estimates suggesting that revenue losses could amount to Rs 20,000 crore annually. Notably, Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj, has pledged to repeal the alcohol ban “within minutes” if elected, igniting further discussions on this contentious issue.

Kumar previously justified the ban by stating that it garnered significant public support, particularly from women and children, aiming to reduce incidents of domestic violence. He remarked that the encouragement witnessed from the public was a decisive factor in opting for a complete prohibition.

Statements from the New Chief Minister

Under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary, there appears to be conflicting messages regarding the liquor ban. At various points, Choudhary has indicated that the prohibition policy has hindered the state’s excise revenue. However, he has also aligned himself with Kumar’s stance, expressing that the ban was a critical decision in addressing societal issues.

During the recent political debates, Choudhary addressed concerns about the enforcement of prohibition, suggesting that while violations were common, the overall societal benefits of the ban were noteworthy. He pointed out that public drunkenness had decreased significantly and maintained that private consumption often went unregulated.

Additionally, discussions are emerging within other political factions regarding the necessity of reevaluating the longstanding prohibition. Notably, Madhav Anand from the Rashtriya Lok Morcha remarked that it might be time to assess the effectiveness of the ban, citing previous landmarks in Kumar’s legislative history that had undergone reviews. However, Choudhary has thus far downplayed calls for retraction of the liquor law, indicating no immediate plans for significant changes.

As discussions continue in the wake of Choudhary’s new tenure, the possibility of revision of the liquor policy remains an open question. However, the ruling BJP is yet to clarify its stance on potentially lifting the ban on alcohol sales in Bihar.

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