Patna, April 8 In a sharp political attack, JJD National President Tej Pratap Yadav has criticised the liquor prohibition policy in Bihar, claiming that the ban has completely failed despite being in force for nearly a decade.
His remarks come in the backdrop of the recent spurious liquor tragedy in Motihari, where 11 deaths have raised serious concerns over the effectiveness of prohibition enforcement.
Tej Pratap alleged that alcohol continues to be openly sold across the state.
“There was a lot of rhetoric around prohibition, but the reality is that liquor is available at every intersection, in every street and neighbourhood. People are drinking everywhere—so where exactly is the ban?” he said.
He further claimed that the widespread availability of illicit liquor has rendered the policy ineffective on the ground.
Targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Tej Pratap suggested that the failure of prohibition is one of the reasons behind his political shift to Delhi.
“The liquor ban has failed—that is why Nitish Kumar is resigning and heading to Delhi,” he remarked.
Referring to recent hooch tragedies, Tej Pratap alleged that spurious liquor is being manufactured and sold clandestinely across Bihar.
“Toxic liquor is being buried underground in pots, and even the police are unable to detect it. People are consuming it and dying,” he said.
When questioned about his earlier support for prohibition, Tej Pratap dismissed it as a thing of the past.
“That was earlier. Today, the reality is different—liquor is easily available everywhere,” he said.
The remarks are likely to intensify the ongoing political discourse around Bihar’s prohibition policy, especially as enforcement challenges and recent tragedies continue to draw public scrutiny.
The hooch tragedy began in East Champaran district in the evening of April 1 when villagers consumed spurious liquor. Their health deterioration started on April 2, and they were admitted to different hospitals.
So far, 11 individuals have lost their lives, and over 15 people are battling for their lives in hospitals. Six victims have permanently lost their eyesight in this hooch tragedy.
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