Introduction:
Drinking has become a fashion and a mark of aristocracy now-a-days in parties, celebrations, picnics, feasts and in marriage-occasions and anybody not arranging it on such occasions is derided upon as an outdated, out-modeled man. Instances of the father-in-law and the bridegroom consuming alcohol during the marriage are not uncommon. Also, I have come across news in a Odia daily that a bride did leave the marriage altar at the sight of a drunken husband.
Why only in marriage functions alone, relatives attending a funeral ceremony, sacred thread ceremony also have sometimes been found in a drunken state. People carry the corpse only when they are presented with drinks in many cases. A bereaved family is made to take a break from their tears and arrange liquor to satisfy relatives and to see that the corpse is lifted. People dip themselves in the drinks on occasion of immersion ceremony of idols of Gods. Holiness and purity are relegated to the background and ridiculously and shamelessly substituted by dances and music under the heinous influence of wine. A man under the influence of liquor performs double or treble the task he is used to.
The root cause of loss of peaceful social climate:
Drunkards are so smart and punctual that on the Republic Day, on the Independence Day, on the second of October and the election days, they never run short of liquor, even if liquor shops remain closed on these days. They made hay when sun shone. Their stocks are more than adequate for any occasion. The drunkards can go to any distance and spend any amount to procure a bottle, but they are seldom prepared to go a furlong if their own children are crying for a bottle of milk.
A laborer spends his lion’s share of money earned on liquor, neglecting his own wife and children and ignoring his individual self in the process as he drinks more and eats less. Drug addiction has taken so huge a dimension now-a-days that teenaged boys and girls working in garages and hotels and working women fall prey to addiction. Many students in schools and colleges fall easy prey to drugs and ruin their careers and lives.
The root cause of disturbance and loss of peaceful social climate in modern day homes is due to large scale consumption of liquor. All rapists, criminals and murderers are drunkards or druggists. According to a survey conducted on crimes by drunkards by ALAC, a de-addiction organization of New Zealand, in its survey has come out with the report that out of every five cases of premature deaths, one is from road accident, three from family violence and one on property matters. The average expenditure of police budget worldwide is 15% on curbing drinking-related violence.
Statistics:
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the USA in its survey report says that 37% of rapes, 27% of physical violence and 15% of the thefts were committed under the influence of liquor. The victims of the crime are primarily among women, children and members of the culprit’s family or friends. In addition, thousands die of poisonous liquor every year for which the government pays ex-gratia besides spending on the treatment of the victims. Colossal amounts are also spent by the Government on inquiry commissions.
It is true that a fair amount is collected from the purchase and sale of liquor as government revenue, but a major portion of this revenue is spent on the liquor-crimes and liquor-criminals. Any revenue left thereafter is just a flash in the pan. This ill-got money is immoral in nature and the benefit derived out of it should never glorify theft, robbery and other illegal, immoral activities connected with it. Gujarat, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Laccadives are among a few Indian states which have banned the production and sale of contraband including liquor. Gujarat is the only Indian state where provision for the death penalty exists for production and sale of poisonous liquor.
Conclusion:
No developmental work has suffered owing to less collection of revenue in these states. Ban on the sale of gutkha has been well-received by people and ban on production and sale of liquor will make people happier still. Public opinion is clearly in favor of a total ban on production and sale of contraband in any form and of any nature. Women activists have come out in huge numbers, destroying the products. A new Excise Act should be made by the government and strictly implemented. No more atonement on criminal revenue should be the motto of the Government.