Is the BJP government going to ban alcohol?

Delhi : The straight answer is NO but they do intend to bring down the consumption by increasing its price. A report in Mumbai Mirror claims that the BJP, after targeting beef is going to target alcohol in its ruling states. The report claims that the RSS is behind the move. The government plans to do so in by raising taxes to prohibitive levels so that only the extreme rich can afford alcohol. They also plan to do so by roping in women. An RSS functionary is quoted saying: ‘Our push is not for total prohibition. It [the note] is only saying it wants the government to make liquor – both Indian Made Foreign Liquor and country liquor frightfully expensive, out of reach of the common man,’ he said. ‘It is a slow process, and we are confident that the government would be able to push it through in the interests of the nation.’
Social analyst Dipankar Gupta claims: ‘India needs a sustained campaign, nothing else will work states, urged by women’s groups, have tried to impose prohibition on their men, but the move failed.’ While eating beef and pork might have religious connotations, Gupta points out that no Indian politician will openly argue for alcohol consumption. On the other hand, prohibition has never worked in any part of the world. All it does is drive the market underground which will result in lower standards and more people dying of alcohol poisoning.
But if it does happen, then it will be another ban in this government’s cap. In fact, it seems like the right-wing won’t stop until everything remotely fun is banned. Hell, the VHP even wanted a ban on rafting in Rishikesh, because they thought it led youngsters of both sexes to ‘mingle, drink and indulge in objectionable activities on the banks of the holy river, where sadhus and sants gather to meditate’.
After demanding and/or passing bans on Valentine’s Day, beef, documentaries, cussing in movies and normal history, the latest victim it seems could become alcohol. One frenzied member, Sri Ram Sene leader Pramod Mutalik (an organisation best known for beating up women who drink) even demanded a ban on Sunny Leone because her videos were apparently responsible for rape, kidnapping and murder. The real question is why the desire to ban everything? Why can’t the government treat us like adults who are capable of making decisions? Is that too much to ask for? And asking drinkers to go Pakistan would seem rather stupid.