Convention Demands #LiquorProhibition in Jharkhand

25 February 2020, Ranchi: For complete ban upon liquor in Jharkhand, a convention held at NBJK, Ranchi by NBJK, Ranchi District Lok Samiti & Jagriti Socio-Economic Services, Ranchi with support of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Mumbai. The key-speaker of this program was Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) who expressed serious concern over liquor addiction among school children even, blamed alcoholism for most of the crimes against women as well as road accidents and demanded complete ban upon liquor by the government of Jharkhand. This is a myth that prohibiting liquor will reduce state revenue or affects tourism as denied by the government of Bihar categorically after prohibition there, he stated. Mr. Girija Satish said that Lok Samiti wants to make liquor prohibition as the issue for elections through signature campaign and women are supposed to support this initiative. A strong anti-liquor law will boost up women’s morale and an environment will be created to get rid of this evil, he mentioned.

Many PRIs’ members, social workers, intellectuals and community women have participated in the program. Mrs. Sunita Shrivastava (Deepshikha Mahila Mandal) said that about 90% of crimes take place under influence of liquor and our government must ban it. Mrs. Meena Devi was anxious about liquor taker policemen at public places while Mr. Nagendra Kumar (Ramgarh District Lok Samiti) called it as a threat for family system. Mr. Sharda Prasad objected upon liquor shops near educational institutions. Prof. Shailendra Mishra (ex-president, Ranchi district Lok Samiti) stressed upon individual counseling as a part of anti-liquor campaign. He referred about Kedal village near Ranchi where liquor has made about 200 women as widows either by road accidents, violence or diseases. Md. Akhtar correlated liquor with superstitious practice of witch-hunting and Mrs. Geeta Devi viewed liquor as a catalytic to poverty in villages.

Mr. Rajiv Singh (program manager, NBJK) delivered vote of thanks and supported liquor ban for a better society. Mr. Wazir Ahmad (Vice-President, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti) chaired the program and Mr. Shankar Rana (Coordinator, JSLS) anchored its proceedings. There were about 100 participants who supported the resolutions related to complete prohibition of liquor in Jharkhand by GoJ, community initiative against liquor during festivals, signature campaign, government purchase of Mahua and alternative livelihood options.