Madhya Pradesh govt has imposed ban on Liquor in religious cities including Ujjain, starting from April 1. The decision was approved by MP cabinet in January this year. CM Mohan Yadav describe this decision as a historic step toward de-addiction. He also emphasized that this will help to increase public faith and religious reverence associated with these cities and rural areas as the reasons for the move. According to the decision, all liquor shops and bars will be closed within the urban limits of: Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multa, Mandsaur , Amarkantak. Additionally, the ban will be enforced in the gram panchayat limits of: Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barmankalan, BarmankhurdLinga.
On ban CM Mohan Yadav says, "The decision was made to impose alcohol bans in religious cities, especially in areas from where pilgrims travel...Earlier, alcohol bans were implemented, but the boundaries were undefined. Therefore, we have now defined the boundaries of religious cities like Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, and Omkar Vishwa, similar to Ujjain, where alcohol bans were already in place within a one-kilometer radius..."
Ujjain is the renowned Mahakal Temple (Shiva), and Amarkantak is the source of the Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh's lifeline. while Omkareshwar houses a sacred island temple (Shiva Jyotirlinga) shaped like 'Om', while Maheshwar, an ancient Narmada temple town, is associated with Shiva and Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Maihar is known for the Maa Sharda Temple, a pilgrimage site on Trikuta Hill.