Gujarat AAP candidate questions alcohol prohibition, says it’s not bad, even doctors and officers drink it
The Hindu
BJP seeks apology for ‘defaming Gujarat’
An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly election landed in a controversy for saying that drinking alcohol is not bad and it is consumed across the world while prohibition is in force only in Gujarat.
Even big doctors, IAS and IPS officers consume liquor, he said, while also cautioning people against getting addicted to it.
The remarks made by Jagmal Vala on Wednesday evening created a controversy, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking an apology from him for "defaming" Gujarat and for promoting alcohol consumption.
Mr. Vala, who has been declared as the AAP's candidate for Somnath Assembly seat in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, made the statements while addressing a public rally during campaigning.
Assembly elections in the State are due by the end of this year.
"There are 196 countries in the world with 800 crore people. In all these 196 countries, there is freedom to consume alcohol. India alone has a population of 130-140 crore, and there is freedom in the whole nation to consume alcohol," Mr. Vala said.
"It is only in Gujarat, with a population of 6.5 crore, where alcohol is prohibited. This proves that alcohol is not bad. But alcohol consumes us. It is for us to consume alcohol. If we consume it, then it is not bad. But the only problem is that alcohol consumes us. Otherwise, drink if you have the guts. Big doctors, IAS and IPS officers consume liquor," he added.