The duplicity of our elected governments is glaringly visible in their prohibition policies. The Madhya Pradesh (MP) government&rsquo;s recent decision to ban liquor sales in 11 religious towns exposes a pattern of leveraging religious sentiments to win votes while ignoring logical inconsistencies and data-backed policymaking.
Two years ago, this same government allowed liquor sales in airports and supermarkets across major cities like Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior. It even permitted the establishment of home bars for individuals with an annual income exceeding ₹1 crore, charging ₹50,000 annually for such licenses. Under the &ldquo;heritage liquor policy,&rdquo; tribals were allowed to brew liquor from Mahua flowers, presenting yet another contradictory facet of the state&rsquo;s liquor policy.
Now, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has declared a ban on liquor sales in towns with religious significance, including Ujjain, Omkareshwar, and Amarkantak, citing moral and religious obligations. Former Chief Minister Uma Bharti went as far as suggesting that liquor shops be converted into cow shelters. However, there is no evidence or data to show that liquor sales in religious towns harm religious sentiments or public safety. The move appears to be aimed solely at consolidating Hindu votes, rather than addressing genuine concerns about health or law and order.
Religious texts, including the Manusmriti and the Bible, advise moderation rather than outright prohibition. References to Somras in ancient Indian scriptures further complicate the narrative, with interpretations differing between believers and non-believers about its composition. The core message, however, remains: excessive consumption is harmful, but responsible consumption is not condemned.
Despite claims of promoting health and morality, prohibition policies are often counterproductive. Madhya Pradesh&rsquo;s per capita liquor consumption is relatively low, and its excise revenue from alcohol does not even rank among the top ten states. According to the National Sample Survey Organisation, MP&rsquo;s monthly per capita liquor expenditure in 2022-23 was just ₹197 compared to Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s ₹1,036. Yet, the state government&rsquo;s inconsistent approach suggests a lack of coherent strategy.
The impact of prohibition policies in other states offers critical lessons. Gujarat&rsquo;s long-standing prohibition policy costs the state ₹12,000 crore annually, forcing it to seek additional financial aid from the Finance Commission. Bihar&rsquo;s prohibition, implemented in 2016, has resulted in a cumulative revenue loss of ₹40,000 crore over seven years. These losses are accompanied by a rise in illegal liquor sales, corruption, and hooch tragedies&mdash;a grim reminder that prohibition is rarely enforceable.
In MP, liquor sales spike by 8-9% before dry days, illustrating the inefficacy of such measures. Instead of achieving health or societal benefits, prohibition fosters black markets and endangers lives due to the consumption of inferior-quality alcohol.
State governments&rsquo; reliance on liquor revenue further exposes their hypocrisy. According to a Reserve Bank of India report, alcohol excise contributes 10-15% of most states&rsquo; own tax revenues, making it the second or third-largest revenue source after GST. This dependency ensures that prohibition is a selective, politically driven exercise rather than a genuine attempt to safeguard public health.
State governments&rsquo; reliance on liquor revenue further exposes their hypocrisy. According to a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report titled &ldquo;State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2019-20,&rdquo; state excise duties on alcohol contribute 10-15% of own tax revenues for most states. In fact, alcohol excise duties are the second or third-largest source of own tax revenue for states, surpassed only by Goods and Services Tax (GST). This dependency ensures that prohibition is selectively implemented and politically driven, rather than a genuine effort to safeguard public health.
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If the government is genuinely concerned about health and societal well-being, it must pursue a nationwide ban on liquor production, sale, and import. Anything less reveals an intent to manipulate religious sentiments for political gains rather than addressing systemic issues. Stop exploiting emotions for votes and prioritize evidence-based policymaking over populist rhetoric.

liquor sale banned in 11 religious cities of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh’s liquor policy reveals duplicity of prohibition, prioritizing votes over facts

Hypocrisy of Prohibition: Playing Politics with Sentiments

Madhya Pradesh’s liquor policy reveals duplicity of prohibition, prioritizing votes over facts

January 24, 2025 | 10:36 IST