'Watchman is still alive': Uma Bharti warns MP govt over allocation of liquor shops

IANS April 15, 2025 212 views

Veteran BJP leader Uma Bharti has intensified her campaign against liquor shops in Madhya Pradesh, warning the state government about public sentiment. Her protests range from tying cows in front of liquor shops to symbolic stone-pelting, highlighting the widespread opposition, particularly from women. Bharti claims the current liquor policy deviates from the original plan of moving towards prohibition, which was developed after extensive consultations. Her continued activism demonstrates her commitment to social reform and challenging government policies she believes are detrimental to society.

"The watchman is still alive. There is no need for stones, the blows of cow dung will be more severe" - Uma Bharti
'Watchman is still alive': Uma Bharti warns MP govt over allocation of liquor shops
Bhopal, April 15: Veteran BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti on Tuesday warned the state government over the allocation of liquor shops amid daily protests by women in many parts of the state, saying that ‘watchman is still alive’.

Key Points

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Uma Bharti challenges MP govt's liquor shop allocation policy

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Women-led protests spark widespread opposition to liquor shops

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BJP leader demands stricter excise policy

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Symbolic protests highlight social concerns

She said that two years ago, a massive campaign was launched in Madhya Pradesh regarding the prohibition of liquor, as a result of which a new liquor policy was announced in early January 2023. The former Chief Minister said that it was an excise policy made after extensive consultations, which was taking us towards complete prohibition in a couple of years.

“I was waiting for two years for the same policy to be implemented effectively. In the last one and a half years, I have had continuous discussions on this subject with the new government. Whether it is our government or our Chief Minister, many times we do not make our conversations public,” she said. Bharti added that people think that I have become neutral on the issue of liquor shops, but that is not true. “My mind has been in turmoil for the last four months due to this issue,” she said.

She said that due to this pressing issue, there is widespread public protest, especially from women, over the allotment of shops. “Have we become careless about the liquor distribution policy? The watchman is still alive. There is no need for stones, the blows of cow dung will be more severe,” the former Chief Minister said.

Since April 1, protests against liquor shops have been witnessed in several parts of the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur etc. Most of these protests are being led by a group of women who are demanding the relocation of liquor shops, claiming that existing liquor shops have become a main source of nuisance in their respective areas.

In 2022, Bharti, in a novel campaign, tied two cows in front of a liquor shop in Orchha town of Niwari district, famous for its temples and palaces and exhorted people to drink milk and not alcohol. In 2023, she camped at a temple in Bhopal for two days demanding that the excise policy of the state be made more stringent.

Before these symbolic protests, she had also pelted stones at a liquor shop located in the Barkhedi Pathani area. Ironically, that liquor shop is still operational.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Finally someone speaking up for women's safety! Liquor shops near residential areas always create problems. The cow dung comment made me laugh though 😂
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Rahul S.
While I appreciate the concern, symbolic protests like tying cows or throwing stones don't solve anything. The government needs concrete policies, not just dramatic statements.
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Anjali M.
As someone from Bhopal, I've seen firsthand how liquor shops ruin neighborhoods. The women protesting are so brave! More power to them 👏
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Vikram P.
Interesting to see Uma Bharti still fighting this battle after all these years. But is prohibition really the solution? Regulation might work better than complete ban.
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Sunita R.
The part about her mind being in turmoil for 4 months shows how serious this issue is. Alcohol destroys families and the government needs to listen to these concerns.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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Tags:
Uma Bharti Madhya Pradesh Liquor Policy BJP Prohibition Women Protests
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