Amid some controversy, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar used the power of government to end liquor consumption in the state last April, and further tightened the laws in August. The effort is worth a look at the social and political level. The CM led a huge rally on Saturday at Patna’s famous Ramlila Maidan to spread the message of anti-alcoholism. However, no data has been adduced to show that this is a problem that needed addressing. It is generally thought that speaking out against liquor consumption is popular with women from the poorer sections of society, where men are often thought to drink away hard-earned family incomes. There is again no data for Bihar to suggest that alcohol is killing people or ruining families.
Mr Kumar has a very small caste base of his own. He hopes women cutting across caste lines will back him vigorously for attacking a social evil. But it’s doubtful if his party can win a sufficient number of seats on this count alone to make him leader of the government, without the aid of viable allies. Alcoholism is a disease but the moderate consumption of alcohol socially isn’t really harmful and is in fact often recommended for medical reasons. After all, playing cards can be used for a game of bridge or to gamble. When the culture of banning food or drink takes over, the state frequently misses doing its essential tasks and slips into devising moral codes that goons often take advantage of to enhance their power or to make money.
