Dry state, leaky system: What Bihar’s prohibition looks like nine years on | BBC News India

As Bihar votes to elect its next government, its nine-year-old liquor ban is back in focus. Introduced in 2016 by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and backed by women’s groups, the law was seen as a bold social reform.
But its impact remains contested. Despite government claims, illicit liquor trade persists, especially in rural areas. Most of the 650,000 convictions are for consumption, not production or trafficking.
Opposition parties have criticised the ban, and public opinion is sharply divided. The BBC’s Raghvendra Rao travelled to Bihar and saw that prohibition continues to stir strong emotions and shape political conversations ahead of the polls.

Filmed and Edited by: Seraj Ali

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