There has been a spell of ‘Dry” state for the last many years, even if it was all a farce, thanks to the legislation due to pressure from the public, for the general welfare. While this is very much appreciated from the social control point of view, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Dimapur District, however is of the opinion for a review of the said legislation declaring Nagaland as ‘Dry” state, after examining the practicality of the legislation in the light of the actual happenings and reality.
It is understood that the purpose of declaring a state dry is to control social deviance and curb law and order problem, besides social immorality. This is all the more relevant in the context of a Christian majority state. Thus the strong pressure from Christian principled sections of the society in favour of this legislation. However, when it comes to legislation, one need to view things pragmatically. The question therefore in front of everyone today in the light of the years of experience of living in a ‘dry’ state for over a decade, is that, how far and to what extent has the legislation for a dry state been successful/? Or, to make it easier, what will be the rating in a scale of ten? Without doubt, every single individual of the state will reply in the absolute negative. Or in fact, say that the situation has become all the worst due to bootleggers. The scenario speaks for itself clearly. We are living in an illusionary state, a facade, where the projected image of a dry Christian majority state is far opposed to the existing reality. The government, church and the public have to get out of it and face the reality.
Anyone can see that almost every restaurant in Dimapur is a bar in itself albeit underground, catering to the undying ‘thirst’ of all and sundry. If you stop to think, this is ironical as in other ‘wet’ states, either drinks are found in a bar, or you don’t get it in a restaurant. So the pi9ture we have in front of us is that almost all the restaurants in the ‘dry’ state are also a bar. The scenario in Kohima the state capital is no better. It is said that besides restaurants, one can get imported canned beers in a pan shop. Costly drinks in other states are to be found at a cheaper rate in the dry state, which means, the bootleggers are really having a field day in the dry state of Nagaland not paying the required taxes, at the cost of the state exchequer.
On the other hand, the public is still on a drinking spree no better than the precedent era. At the same time, the alcohols being supplied in the state are highly adulterated as they are not regulated by the concerned departments, thereby highly endangering the lives of the consumers, which would not have been so much if the liquor business was open, legal and regulated. Being dry has not helped the society in any way, except camouflage the wrongdoings of bootleggers and social deviants. It is in the knowledge of all that other worst examples are found in plenty. But there is an air of indecisiveness prevailing, which is hampering in taking the right decision: So, which scenario is worst? The dry or wet state?
If facts can be supported by available statistics, it may rightly point out that the number of drinkers or alcohol consumed, have not lessened after the legislation, but increased all the more. Has it made the people better spiritually and morally also waits to be seen. So, has the purpose of legislation been served? The fact is that, the scenario has worsened and worst still, the state exchequer has lost a really good amount of money all these years, which could otherwise have been spent for developmental works on hospitals, schools and roads. To make matters worst, the legislation have visibly been applied one-sidedly, crippling the local brewers, whose alcoholic contents are much milder than the imported alcohols, thereby depriving their only source of livelihood. On the other hand, the more dangerous imported liquors are sold freely and found everywhere. Besides, when the state is trying to project itself as a tourist destination, a dry state don’t serve the purpose as the lesson of Haryana depicted a few years ago.
Tourism industry in Haryana was gravely affected after being declared a dry state, which therefore had to quickly revert back to a more relaxed legislation. After all, every society is not the same and for the potential tourists expected, alcoholic drinks are and will be an important ingredient in their menu.
In the light of the above points, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Dimapur District, demands that the legislation for a ‘Dry’ Nagaland, be either implemented thoroughly and strictly or revoke it altogether. In its place, a pragmatic legislation can be imposed to not ban liquor total1y, but regulate it in a limited way strictly. Due to the existing reality, the B1p Dimapur is in favour of alternate steps to be taken to control social deviance in a more pragmatic way rather than just declare a state ‘dry’ which has little or no solution. While this will also ensure that the tourism industry will remain unaffected, steps can also be taken to divert the revenue derived from alcohol, to be used for specific welfare and developmental purposes. The Bharatiya Janata Party, Dimapur District emphasize that the time is up for illusory legislations and concerns, but for pragmatic steps that will change the “Social scenario for the better.
James Vizo, President
Jaangsillung Gonmei, Secretary
BJP Dimapur
