Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, opposing the state government’s decision to prohibit the consumption of toddy (palm wine) and urging the state to revoke the ban, sparked off a debate by saying that Mahatma Gandhi had supported consumption of “neera” (early-morning sap, before it ferments and becomes toddy).
Mr Manjhi, while claiming that toddy has medicinal value as it is extracted directly from the tree before it is consumed, said, “I challenge doctors to first prove that toddy has harmful side-effects.” He said toddy prevents tuberculosis and cholera and “even I had consumed it once when I was young and till today I am hale and hearty. Mahatma Gandhi had once supported neera.”
Clarifying, he added, “When Mahatma Gandhi had visited Bihar he saw a few men climbing palm trees to extract palm juice and had supported it.”
Mr Manjhi, accusing the state government of “targeting the Pasi community” by imposing a ban on toddy, said, “The Nitish Kumar government should not take away the livelihood of backward and poor people by imposing a toddy ban.”
Senior BJP leader and former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said, “What is the basis of the CM’s order to ban toddy in Bihar when there is no mention of prohibition in the Excise Act The entire Pasi community is opposing the decision.”
Demanding immediate relief for the Pasi community, the Opposition leader asked the CM to revoke the toddy ban as it directly affects the livelihood of an entire community. Meanwhile, the Patna high court on Wednesday passed an interim order asking the state government not to take way stocks left with liquor companies. The court was hearing a writ petition filed by liquor companies. The matter is to come up for hearing on April 19. The HC interim order is being seen as a huge relief for companies which couldn’t dispose of or sell their liquor after the government suddenly enforced total prohibition in the state on April 5.
