150 Enthusiasts challenge state’s dry ambiance in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Bacchus lovers publicly challenged state’s dry ambiance by raising the toast in a busy square in Vadodara on the last day of the decade. Airing their frustration at what they called an outdated law, a group of some 150 enthusiasts protested, peacefully, against the state government’s prohibition policy on Thursday, the day that traditionally sees highest liquor consumption elsewhere in the world.

As the authorities were busy clamping down the bootleggers and revellers on New Year’s eve in dry Gujarat, people came out in the open on Jetalpur road to raise a toast against prohibition. The enthusiasts in the state’s cultural capital resorted to graffiti and wrote messages, condemning prohibition, on a large canvas in the evening hours.

Rajeev Patel, former Indian National Karting Championship winner who dons several caps, including that of a realtor and an art curator, and Rishi Mistry, documentary maker, consumed alcohol in open in presence of close to 150 supporters. The protestors said their campaign for freedom to drink will continue.

“Prohibition in Gujarat is against the fundamental right of equality. The policy imposed on us is anti-poor and anti-middle class while other section of the society and watchdogs are having all the liberty. We will continue to demonstrate against the state government for continuing with the policy,” Mr Patel told ET.

He added that anti-prohibition movement initiated by volunteers like him from Vadodara was apolitical and targeted against the system and not any individual.

In January, Mr Patel will release a book Gujarat’s biggest lie? Prohibition in Gujarati and English. The book will be available at affordable prices and will be circulated in not only India but also overseas to showcase the impacts of prohibition in industrial Gujarat. Subsequently, Mr Patel and his supporters will also shoot a series of short films on the issue.