Patna HC verdict ban on Nitish Kumar's dictatorial decree, says Jharkhand CM

RANCHI: In a strongly worded reaction after the Patna high court struck down Bihar government's Anti-liquor Act, declared draconian by several citizens and policy makers, Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das said the verdict is a ban on the "dictatorial decree" of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Das said the Patna HC verdict will help Nitish Kumar get rid of "the hangover of power." The two chief ministers have indulged in several aggressive verbal fights over the issue since April when Bihar went dry.

"Nitish Kumar took the decision (of prohibition) without taking into consideration public opinions. No awareness campaign preceded the move to ban production, sale, consumption and transportation of liquor. The way he hurriedly took the decision was wrong," Das said in a statement issued by his office.

"Every unplanned decision meets this fate. The people of Bihar were subjected to big trouble in the name of prohibition," he said.

The Patna HC order, some people say, is a setback to the growing demands of prohibition in Jharkhand. Since April, Nitish Kumar is trying to extend his struggle against liquor addiction across the border into Jharkhand where he has addressed several rallies for the purpose.

Bihar liquor ban attracted women of Jharkhand. Many went to Patna to meet with Kumar and sought his intervention for a similar move in Jharkhand. Nitish's interventions have led to ego clash between the two CMs. Das was very aggressive and forceful in rejecting the suggestions of his Bihar counterpart to ban liquor.

Nitish's interventions, however, rekindled hope of prohibition in Jharkhand, where liquor is an integral part of tribals' life. In Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Giridih and several other districts women have displayed aggression and destroyed several liquor manufacturing dens. Even influential tribal leaders have demanded liquor ban.

"Liquor has destroyed many families. Several laborers spend more money on liquor than they spend on their families, children's education, healthcare and foods," said former chief minister and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (P) chief Babulal Marandi, an influential tribal leader.

Tribals' tallest leader Shibu Soren has also batted for liquor ban. More than issues close to the hearts of opposition parties in a state, JD(U), RJD, JVM-P (all in opposition) love to talk about liquor ban. JVM-P has declared that when it comes to power, it will emulate Bihar's liquor policy.

Patna HC verdict is, Marandi claimed, not going to discourage people's demands. "A chronic illness needs, bitter medicines. Addition is destroying Bihar's society. People urgently needed some bitter medication," Marandi said.

RJD state president Gautam Sagar Rana said in a short period of time addicts in Bihar have realized the benefits of prohibition. "Smile is back in the families," he said.