The political debate surrounding Bihar’s total alcohol prohibition, enacted in 2016 by the Nitish Kumar government, has intensified. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party recently reaffirmed its promise to lift the liquor ban if elected to power, framing the move as a crucial step for the state’s economic liberation.
The party claims that revoking the ban would recover the nearly ₹28,000 crore currently lost due to prohibition, money that could then be leveraged to secure substantial loans—estimated at ₹5–6 lakh crore—from international institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
⏳ Jan Suraaj’s Promise: Revoke in One Hour
Prashant Kishor, the poll strategist turned politician, has been unequivocal about his stance, vowing to “lift the liquor ban within an hour” of his party forming the next government.
“The liquor ban will be lifted within an hour once we come to power,” Kishor stated, arguing that the current law is ineffective: “There is no real liquor ban in Bihar. There is a law in place that has shut down liquor shops and started home delivery.” Other members of the Jan Suraaj party have adopted a similar position.
⚖️ Divided Political Landscape
The prohibition policy continues to face divided opinions across Bihar’s political spectrum:
- Jitan Ram Manjhi (NDA Ally): The Union Minister and former Bihar Chief Minister called for a review of the policy, arguing that enforcement disproportionately targets the poor while “wealthy smugglers escape scrutiny.” Manjhi asserted that previous reviews failed to address these gaps, noting that “Poor people, if caught consuming even 250 ml of alcohol, are prosecuted, whereas those involved in large-scale smuggling are let off.”
- RJD (Opposition): RJD MLA Bhai Virendra demanded action against “white-collar persons” violating the rules. Top RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav suggested that any decision on the ban “should be discussed with the people and government officials” and criticized the ruling NDA over the state of law and order.
📊 The Science vs. The Economics: Expert Findings
The political debate is mirrored in complex research on the ban’s actual impact:
Confirmed Public Health Benefits:
- Reduced Consumption: A May 2024 study in The Lancet Regional Health: Southeast Asia found the ban prevented an estimated 2.4 million cases of daily and weekly drinking in Bihar.
- Decline in Violence: The ban is linked to a reduction of around 2.1 million cases of intimate partner violence, including emotional and sexual abuse against women.
- Health Gains: Men in Bihar saw a 5.6 percentage point drop in overweight and obesity rates compared to men in neighboring states without similar restrictions.
Economic and Social Downside:
- Surge in Illicit Alcohol: Prohibition fueled a black market for illicit liquor, or “hooch,” which has led to multiple fatalities from tainted alcohol consumption.
- Crime Displacement: Research suggests that police resources diverted to enforcing the ban may have reduced capacity to address other criminal activities, potentially leading to a rise in certain types of crime.
- Adolescent Risks: The increased availability of illicit, unregulated alcohol has been linked to higher consumption among young people, raising concerns about mental health issues and risky behaviors.
🌐 Global History of Prohibition
Bihar is not unique in its struggle with alcohol prohibition. Globally, such bans have proven difficult to enforce, often leading to unintended consequences:
| Location | Key Takeaway |
| Gujarat (India) | Strict ban since 1961 remains, but a thriving black market persists. A study found regulations were linked to lower motor vehicle accidents and crimes against women, but also to significant public health risks from adulterated liquor. |
| Mizoram (India) | Reinstated a full ban in 2018. Early reports noted reduced alcohol use, but inconsistent enforcement created loopholes exploited by smugglers, impacting adolescent mental health. |
| United States (1920–1933) | The nationwide ban led to the rise of bootlegging, speakeasies, and organized crime. The law enforcement struggled to contain the black market, and the ban was ultimately repealed due to the social chaos and health hazards caused by unsafe homemade liquor. |
| Pakistan | Alcohol is banned for Muslims, with non-Muslims obtaining limited permits. Illicit production and smuggling are widespread, with toxic homemade liquor causing numerous fatalities. |
| Saudi Arabia | Enforces a strict ban, but underground consumption and smuggling persist, particularly among youth. The country recently opened its first liquor store for non-Muslim diplomats as part of cautious modernization efforts. |