Odisha-Led Delegation Urges President Murmu to Champion Nationwide Liquor Ban

In a pivotal meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan, a six-member delegation of Gandhian and anti-liquor activists, spearheaded by Padma Charan Nayak of the Milita Odisha Nisa Nibaran Abhiyan (MONNA), called on President Droupadi Murmu to initiate a nationwide prohibition on alcohol and narcotics.

Representatives from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Delhi presented a compelling case, citing alcohol abuse as a root cause of domestic violence, crime, poverty, and moral decay.

hey emphasised that fragmented state-level bans are ineffective due to rampant cross-border smuggling and lack of national coordination.

The delegation invoked Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates states to prohibit intoxicating substances harmful to health. They urged the President to advise all state governments to move beyond regulation and adopt a unified prohibition policy.

President Murmu expressed deep concern over the societal damage caused by alcohol proliferation and assured the delegation that she would write to both the Central and Odisha governments, urging serious deliberation and swift action.

Calling the meeting a “historic milestone,” the activists praised the President’s empathetic leadership and reaffirmed their commitment to building a sober, prosperous India.