The Madhya Pradesh cabinet’s decision to close all bar shops and ‘Ahatas’ in the state came after a series of protests by senior BJP leader Uma Bharti. Bharti has been an outspoken critic of liquor consumption and has been advocating for a “controlled liquor policy” in the state. She has argued that the sale of alcohol should not be used as a means to generate revenue for the government, but rather, it should be regulated in a way that promotes responsible drinking.
As part of the new policy, liquor shops will only be permitted to sell alcohol within the confines of the shop itself. Ahatas, which are areas attached to liquor shops where customers can drink on the premises, will be closed. This move is designed to prevent public drinking and promote responsible consumption of alcohol.
In addition to these measures, the state government has also decided to increase the distance between liquor shops and sensitive locations such as educational institutions, girls’ hostels, and religious places. This distance will be increased from 50 meters to 100 meters, which is expected to help reduce the visibility of liquor shops and prevent them from influencing vulnerable populations.
State Home Minister Narottam Mishra said”All ahatas and shop bars are being shut in the state. From hereon, liquor will be sold at the shops and places of drinking will not be allowed,”
Moreover, the state government is also planning to make the laws related to drunk driving more stringent. This move is aimed at curbing the number of road accidents caused by drunk drivers and promoting road safety.
Uma Bharti’s campaign against liquor consumption has been gaining momentum over the past few years. As part of her “madhushala mein gaushala” program, she has been encouraging people to drink milk instead of alcohol. She has also been staging protests against liquor shops, including tying cows in front of them and throwing dung at them. Through these efforts, Bharti hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption and promote a healthier, more responsible lifestyle.
