Anti liquor agitation post-1947

Another social evil that has resulted in the ruin of many people�s lives, is excessive drinking. Many poor people waste their hard-earned money on liquor, which is injurious to their health, and deprive their families of a decent life. Mahatma Gandhi tried hard to root out this harmful habit. For this reason prohibition of liquor has been included in the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of our constitution.

A Prohibition Enquiry committee was formed in 1956 to examine this problem and suggest steps to control it. The recommendations of this committee were accepted in 1956 and a resolution was passed in the Lok Sabha to make it a part of our Development Program. Prohibition of liquor has also been made a part of our five-year plans. Several states have made attempts to introduce partial or total prohibition.

Along with the laws, social awareness is very important to control evils like drinking and practices like dowry. Many voluntary agencies are doing a lot of work to help alcoholics and drug addicts to give up these habits. Many NGOs well as government agencies are making people aware of the dowry system. However, the government also needs to take stern measures against those who deal in the illegal distribution of liquor and drugs as well as those who demand and give dowry.

Read More: Representation of Women: Electoral Politics - Class 8