Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday called for public shaming of those flouting liquor ban in the state while hardening his stance against relaxing the stringent prohibition law for those coming to the dry state from elsewhere.
Addressing a gathering of women’s self help groups “Jeevika” in Patna adjoining Uttar Pradesh, Mr Kumar said “don’t come to Bihar if you find the ban inconvenient”.
Reiterating that relaxing the ban for visitors from outside was out of question, the Chief Minister claimed his decision to impose prohibition was admired widely and he was invited by advocacy groups in UP and Jharkhand to share his experience after he took the step in 2016.
“But despite our best intentions, there will always be some mischief mongers…..I urge all of you present here if you find anybody flouting prohibition in your village, report the matter to police but also take out a demonstration and raise slogans”, said the Chief Minister, amidst applause.
He said the police had been asked to protect those who blew the whistle and sought to put wrongdoers to shame.
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi to stress that drinking was a “social evil”, Kumar quoted from a WHO report to underscore health hazards that were directly associated with drinking.
