Rising Concern over Alcohol-Induced Violence

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Bhubaneswar: Alcohol not only harms individuals but also causes significant damage to families and society. Alcohol-related violence is on the rise, leading to the destruction of many families. Despite this, people continue to consume alcohol, and the government is reluctant to impose a ban due to the revenue it generates. As a result, alcohol-related deaths are occurring daily. In a populous country like India, the increasing number of deaths due to alcohol is alarming. In India, 38.8 people per 100,000 die due to alcohol, compared to 16.1 in neighboring China.

Recently, a tragic incident in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district resulted in the deaths of 57 people within 10 days due to toxic alcohol, with nearly 150 others hospitalized.

In Saudi Arabia, the production, distribution, consumption, and importation of alcohol are completely banned. In India, some states have imposed restrictions on the production and sale of alcohol, while others benefit significantly from the revenue generated. States like Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, and Nagaland have implemented complete bans on alcohol production and sale. However, the government struggles to curb illicit alcohol trade. The Odisha government relies heavily on alcohol revenue. In the financial year 2012-13, the Odisha government collected INR 1,379.91 crore from alcohol, which increased by 367% to INR 6,455 crore in 2022-23. This revenue-driven encouragement of alcohol has a severely negative impact on society.

Alcohol Ban in Bihar: A Mixed Success

The Bihar government, led by Nitish Kumar, imposed a ban on the production and sale of alcohol in 2016 to reduce domestic violence and other alcohol-related incidents. However, people continue to drink and cause disturbances. Toxic alcohol deaths are still reported in Bihar. In December 2022, 73 people died from consuming toxic alcohol, sparking widespread debate and criticism of the Nitish government.

Family Tragedies Caused by Alcohol

In Bihar’s Muzaffarpur, two horrifying murders occurred. In Mushahari, Birju Bhagat (50) was killed by his son and daughter-in-law. The son, Indresh Kumar, often beat his father while drunk. In Gangapur, Shanti Devi (60) was murdered by her son Manoj Majhi, who was intoxicated at the time. These incidents highlight the destructive impact of alcohol on families.

Alcohol Turns into a Murder Weapon

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, a man killed his elder brother with an axe during a drunken dispute. After the murder, the younger brother surrendered to the police. The victim, Ramesh, was attacked and killed by his younger brother in the Banthara area of Lucknow. This incident underscores how alcohol can turn disputes into deadly confrontations.

Will Odisha Become Alcohol-Free?

Odisha is seeing a surge in both licensed and illicit alcohol production. Thousands of liters of illegal alcohol are seized annually, with many arrests made. The state’s approach to alcohol control will depend on the actions of the new government. Recently, the state’s Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister Nityanand Gond’s statement about an alcohol-free Odisha sparked significant discussion. The BJP, before the recent elections, promised an alcohol-free Odisha in their manifesto. Efforts are underway to fulfill these promises, raising hopes for a possible alcohol ban in the state.