Nitty-gritty of prohibition debate

Prohibition, arguably, is one of the hot-button issues of this election, with most political parties promising to wipe out the ubiquitous Tasmac shops from the State.

But surprisingly, as much as 77 per cent of readers who participated in an online poll conducted by The Hindu have said the next government will not implement prohibition in the State.

So are the heated debates and controversy around prohibition much ado about nothing? Is prohibition a non-issue in this election?

Experts say there is more to the issue than what meets the eye.

Siva Elango, president of Satta Panchayat Iyakkam that has been fighting for total prohibition, says: “The results just show the trust deficit between the politicians and the voters. But I do not think the political class can go back on this one given the way it has pitchforked itself to the political centre-stage. Politicians can shove it under the carpet only at their own peril.”

While political commentator Badri Seshadri agrees with the fact that the wariness of voters is driven more by their cynicism about politicians, he also points out that certain sections of the society have been conditioned to believe that total prohibition is not possible.

“I think whoever is going to come to power, will certainly implement a partial or diluted prohibition. But, if the question is whether it will be a strict prohibition with not even a drop of alcohol, then most people are right as it will never happen.”

‘An elitist argument’

Mr. Elango acknowledges that many do not believe prohibition is possible.

“With all humility I can only say that opposition to prohibition, saying it interferes with personal choice is just elitist. By this yardstick, one could even talk about legalising marijuana use, as is the practice in some parts of the West. But we have to understand that alcohol addiction hurts the poor and the marginalised the most. It is like choosing between life and livelihood on one hand and lifestyle on the other.”

The anti-liquor brigade also feels that the Nitish Kumar government’s claim that in Bihar ‘heinous’ crimes have fallen by 27 per cent in April since the introduction of prohibition is more than an incentive for any State to embrace dry law.