MaltMarch's stand is that prohibition can be removed responsibly and systematically in Gujarat without sacrificing Gandhian principles or the concerns of pro-prohibitionists (politicians, cops, bootleggers not included). It can also be done in such a manner which reduces corruption & crime (which is at No. 5 in India per capita), benefits the underprivileged, increases governance across the state, and assist in lowering domestic violence by keeping alcohol out of reach of irresponsible citizens.
Submitted by djyazad on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 5:29pm
Hi Guys !! I am a Dj From Gujarat Baroda !! in this field since 12 years .... Been Arrested 2 Times in my life for prohibition . All of the dance parties have a Bar Setup at farm houses where all the Police and Govt people also drink .. where does the Law go then ? Most funny and irritating thing When i was Caught in a Routine check The Constables were more drunk then i was ... IS THIS LAW ? I tried to object but i was taken care of ... If Gandhiji is The Father Of The Nation THEN BAN LIQUOR IN WHOLE COUNTRY ...
Submitted by maltmarch on Sat, 03/10/2007 - 9:11am
Call it what you will, but today's TOI's article "Its official, liquor laws relaxed" is a step towards gradual relaxation of prohibition. The article states Amit Shah, Minster of state for Home, saying "Liquor permits would be issued by prohibition officers and authorised officer of the special economic zone, and hotel managers could issue them to tourists from other states and foreigners". Of course, it will create a rush to get fake identity papers to prove we're not Gujarati's - but out of towners who have more rights that the blind residents here, but so be it.
Submitted by Maverick Rathore on Wed, 03/07/2007 - 10:26pm
excerpts from an Article by Ali Mehdi - member of the governance team, Centre for Civil Society.
That is the question of responsible governance that policy makers should not shirk.
Widening the debate, and with far reaching consequences, let us ask if the government, especially in a pluralistic society like India, should be involved with moralistic issues of either individual or scial import. Claiming that alcohol consumption "weakens the entire social structure" and distorts the priorities if development process" is too far frtched to be dicussed seriously.
Submitted by chic on Wed, 03/07/2007 - 4:44pm
Early this week, a drunk driver in Bangalore ran over and killed 3 employees of the General Post Office in Bangalore who were working on the night shift. So drunk was this media executive that he didn't even know he had run over these people. He reached home and slept. The sorry incident should have brought to focus the legislations for drunk driving, but it unfortunately has not.
Submitted by wallbanger on Wed, 03/07/2007 - 1:42pm
The truth is that nobody (by this I mean people I have talked with or overheard discussing the issue) actually gives a fuck about Prohibition or MaltMarch because, 'Why do I want to rant about Prohibition when I can drink anytime I want to?' (Which is not true at all but look what a silly law that's gone on and on hopelessly forever can do to the sleeping proletariat and bourgeoisie.)
It's a joke in this state. Every college kid and her grandmother has a bootlegger.
Submitted by maltmarch on Fri, 03/02/2007 - 1:06pm
The role of Gandhiji in helping to bring about Indian independence is well documented. What is also well known is that the idea of non violence and passive resistance in gaining support from the public in Gandhiji's struggle for India's independence. What is less known is the economic strategy behind Gandhiji's objective in limiting the economic strength of the British Government.
Submitted by Maltlover on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 3:30pm
Alcohol and Stroke
In the September 2001 issue of Stroke magazine, Dr Kenneth Mukamal, who had previously reported on alcohol's effects on the heart, found that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with fewer brain lesions and so-called silent strokes. Dr. Mukamal wrote that as a blood thinner, alcohol improves blood circulation in the brain and offers protection from silent strokes caused by tiny blood clots.
Submitted by studio29 on Tue, 02/27/2007 - 3:24pm
it's been nice to read about the movement towards a wet state in the media & the net. this path is tread only by the educated urban elite. i think to thrash this archaic law on a harder, faster scale we need to take this case up with the judiciary
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comes, ironically, from Gandhi's Dandi March (also called Salt March) 75 years ago, which protested the salt laws of the British rule in India. Gandhi, who also said that you have the duty to disobey unjust laws, was the chief proponent of an alcohol-free India. One of our objectives is to make a case that the context under which Gandhi instituted prohibition is not valid today. Today, alcohol prohibition in Gujarat is an outdated, corruption and crime breeding, short sighted law which must be systematically removed. Keeping up with Bapu's spirit, the Maltmarch community plans to march to the Sachivalay and have a drink in defiance of the prohibition law (date undecided). 