Mixed response to Nitish Kumar’s human chain supporting liquor ban

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday claimed to have inspired people, some 20 million of them, to create a world record by forming the longest human chain ever in support of his drive for total prohibition.

Officials claimed that they had worked overtime to ensure that at least 2,000 people turn up for every kilometre across 11,292 km to cover all the 38 districts.

A Patna High Court bench had, however, expressed its concerns at the state government forcing students and employees to participate in the exercise. It had also asked the state government to specify under which law it had asked traffic to be halted on highways.

The state government denied both the charges although media reports indicate that both schools and district officials were directed to ensure mandatory participation of both students and employees. In any case the mammoth exercise involved a lot of hard work and expenses as is evident by the following details:

Bihar Government claims to have spent ₹10 crore on preparations

• 5 satellites, helicopters, four aircrafts and 38 drones used to take aerial pictures
• The human chain planned to cover 11, 292 kms across 38 districts between 12.45 and 1 pm
• The Chief Secretary and the DGP appeared before the Patna High Court on Friday to assure that no coercion was involved, that it was a totally voluntary endeavour
• The high court was also assured that no direction had been given to stop traffic on national and state highways
• The high court is slated to hear the case again on January 28

The response to the human chain, however, was mixed. Some people wondered if the chief minister was not sparing too much effort in gimmicks to build up his own brand and whether he should have spared more time on other pressing concerns of law and order, education and health. Others felt the chief minister was justified in drawing attention to a signature campaign.

While tipplers predictably scoffed at the effort, pointing out that liquor was available all over the state at a premium and cited the flourishing black market and a liquor mafia that prohibition has helped create in the state, even some school students wondered at the futility of it all. “I see our landlord having a drink every day with some of the tenants,” explained one of them.

Others were, again predictably, more supportive. Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries president PK Agrawal said his organisation was in full support of prohibition and had lent a helping hand to make the human chain a success. “The chain will help create awareness, so it’s essential for making prohibition a success. The government machinery cannot be everywhere to enforce prohibition, so local people’s support is paramount,” he declared.

Puja Kumari (14), a student of Class V at Prathmik Vidyalaya, Kankarbagh in Patna who doubles up as a part-time domestic help and was involved in rehearsals in her school, said prohibition had to succeed.

Monu Kumar (17), an Intermediate student who also doubles up as a part-time autorickshaw driver, didn’t himself join the chain but said prohibition was very beneficial. “It has helped reduce domestic violence in a large number of families. I am hopeful that prohibition will be a success,” he said.

However, Ranjeet Thakur, a Chartered Accountant, felt the human chain and its entry into record books would serve limited purpose. “Liquor mafia has already reared its head in connivance with government officials and liquor is easily available in different parts of Bihar at higher prices even as the state government has suffered revenue loss.”