#Lok Samiti Contributes to #LiquorFreeIndia Convention

16 February 2020, Delhi: Under the auspices of Milit Odisha Nisha Nivaran Abhiyan, a national convention upon Liquor-free India held at ISKON Auditorium. Mr. Nitish Kumar (Chief Minister, Bihar) was the key speaker who imposed complete ban upon liquor in Bihar on 5th April 2016. He advocated for nationwide ban on alcohol and referred to Supreme Court ruling that says neither consumption nor business of liquor can be treated as a fundamental right. This helped poor people, especially women to live a better life and there is no adverse effect upon revenue or tourism by putting ban on liquor, He stated. According to Mr. Kumar, Bihar has emerged as a role model for other states and India deserves to be free from alcohol.

On this occasion, Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) has quoted Indian Constitution as Article 47 directs the state to bring about prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs, likewise Article 51A (e) imposes on every citizen by way of fundamental duty the responsibility to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. He said that a major chunk of crimes against women and road accidents is caused by liquor.

Mr. Girija Satish explained about Lok Samiti’s Sharab Mukti Yatra across Jharkhand in the year 2017 which noticed positive response from women, youths & PRI members in favor of liquor prohibition. He appealed the intellectual class to be free from this feudal practice and pointed out that a liquor-free India is bound to develop with morally strong citizenry towards a least violent society.

LS National President correlated the issue of women empowerment with liquor-free India and said that a single step can change our politics, economics and society. It’s an irony that our governments promote liquor & casino in the name of revenue, he said and requested various anti alcohol organizations to work in a unified manner. Mr. Girija Satish expressed serious concern over smuggling of liquor in Bihar from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and he demanded for a strong national law for all states to make India liquor-free.