Nitish Kumar-Medha Patkar prohibition campaign fails to address social reform need, may "criminalize" social drinkers

Medha Patkar with Nitish Kumar

Counterview Desk
Even as well-known social activist Medha Patkar's Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is running a full-blown anti-liquor campaign in the Narmada valley, eliciting the support of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar (click HERE), at least two of her top supports, both activist-experts, have suggested that there is something fundamentally wrong with the new prohibition fad which has gripped parts of India.
Writer-activist Nandini Oza, who has been associated with the anti-Narmada dam campaign of NBA, has particularly taken strong exception to Bihar’s anti-liquor Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, considered by Patkar-inspired Nasha Mukti Bharat Andolan as saying it “ideal for the country”, saying, its severe punitive actions are “draconian.”
Writing in her blog, Oza says, “In a society, to consider substance abuse by an individual as a grievous criminal offence punishable by long imprisonment will be detrimental to both the individual as well as the society at large. This fact is well established by social work research and studies.”
Pointing to how the Bihar law is being pushed not only by the Government in Bihar, but also by “a number of leading social movements”, promoting it as a “model law that should be implemented across the entire country”, Oza refers to “serious issues with the law” which were struck down by the Patna High Court on September 30 as it would “bring in a virtual police-raj in the state.”

"The new law which was notified after this High Court judgement, unfortunately, has similar draconian provisions”, regrets Oza, “By studying carefully the Act and the judgement of the Bihar High Court on the Act, one feels that a whole community, the whole family including women and children, already aggrieved by a substance abuser in the family, could be further punishable under this Act.”
Oza insists, “Social awareness, social support and social as well as economic reform measures are required to check socially undesirable behaviour relating to addiction and substance abuse, rather than severe punitive actions aimed at the addict.”
According to Oza, who happens to hail from a state where prohibition was long implemented, Gujarat, the punishments “for possession, consumption, storage or transportation of even small quantity of alcohol” under the law have “no scope whatsoever for warning, correction, mitigation, reformation, rehabilitation and probation of an addict or a person in possession of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.”
“Along with the addicts, it criminalizes social drinkers as well”, she points out, adding, “Worse still, it has the scope of considering the family of an addict criminal, too, with strict punishments! It has severe provisions like arrest without warrant, confiscation of premises, sealing of premises, etc. where any crime under this act is said to have been committed.”
“Furthermore”, she says, “It has the provision of collective fine for the 'wrong doing' of individual/ individuals in an area and the whole community living there could be held responsible for repeat offenses under the act. Besides, a lot of powers are given to the collector and even the police.”
“It is important to note that after the enforcement of this Act, twelve people have died after drinking spurious alcohol in Gopalganj, Bihar”, says Oza, adding, “A very large number of people, around thirteen thousand including women have already been jailed in the State of Bihar.”
Referring to Oza's blog, another top Patkar protagonist, Shripad Dharmadhikary, who heads Manthan Adhyayan Kendra in Badwani, Madhya Pradesh, says there is enough reason for a “review” of the Bihar law, adding, “While the debate on prohibition (of liquor) as a way to address the social evils of drinking is an old one, the recent law enacted by Bihar brings a new urgency to the debate.”
He further says, “On one hand, the law has draconian provisions of punishment and unbridled powers to the state apparatus; on the other hand, leading social movements are supporting it, even arguing that this be the model for the rest of the country. This is clearly a cause for concern.”

Comments

Academics urge Azim Premji University to drop FIR against Student Reading Circle

By A Representative A group of academics and civil society members has issued an open letter to the leadership of Azim Premji University expressing concern over the filing of a police complaint that led to an FIR against a student-run reading circle following a recent incident of violence on campus. The signatories state that they hold the university in high regard for its commitment to constitutional values, critical inquiry and ethical public engagement, and argue that it is precisely because of this reputation that the present development is troubling.

'Policy long overdue': Coalition of 29 experts tells JP Nadda to act on SC warning label order

By A Representative In a significant development for public health, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to seriously consider implementing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on pre-packaged food products. The order, passed by a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan on February 10, 2026, comes as the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the regulatory body's progress on the issue.

Vaccination vs screening: Policy questions raised on cervical cancer strategy

By A Representative A public policy expert has written to Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda raising a series of concerns regarding the national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign launched on February 28 for 14-year-old girls.

UAPA action against Telangana activist: Criminalising legitimate democratic activity?

By A Representative The National Investigation Agency's Hyderabad branch has issued notices to more than ten individuals in Telangana in connection with FIR No. RC-04/2025. Those served include activists, former student leaders, civil rights advocates, poets, writers, retired schoolteachers, and local leaders associated with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Indian National Congress.

The new anti-national certificate: If Arundhati Roy is the benchmark, count me in

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava* Dear MANIT Alumni Network Committee, “Are you anti-national?” I encountered this fascinating—some may say intimidating—question from an elderly woman I barely know, an alumna of Maulana Azad College of Technology (MACT, now Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology - MANIT), Bhopal, and apparently one of the founders of the MACT (now MANIT) Alumni Network. The authority with which she posed the question was striking. “How much anti-national are you? What have you done for the Alumni Network Committee to identify you as anti-national?” When I asked what “anti-national” meant to her and who was busy certifying me as such, the response came in counter-questions.

Development vs community: New coal politics and old conflicts in Madhya Pradesh

By Deepmala Patel* The Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, often described as “India’s energy capital,” has for decades been a hub of coal mining and thermal power generation. Today, the Dhirouli coal mine project in this district has triggered widespread protests among local communities. In recent years, the project has generated intense controversy, public opposition, and significant legal and social questions. This is not merely a dispute over one mine; it raises a larger question—who pays the price for energy development? Large corporate beneficiaries or the survival of local communities?

Minority concerns mount: RTI reveals govt funded Delhi religious meet in December

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Indian Muslims have expressed deep concern over what they describe as rising hate speech and hostility against their community under the BJP-led government in India. A recent flashpoint was the event organised by Sanatan Sanstha titled “Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav” in New Delhi on 13–14 December 2025.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

From neglect to progress: The story of Ranavara’s community-led development

By Bharat Dogra Visitors to Ranavara, a remote village in Kherwara block of Udaipur district, are often surprised by its multi-dimensional progress. The village today is known for its impressive school building, regenerated pastures, expanded tree cover, and extensive water conservation and supply works. These achievements are the outcome of sustained community efforts over several years, demonstrating how small, consistent initiatives can lead to significant change.

Search This Blog