Dry Days In February 2023: List, Alcohol Laws In India, What Can You Do On A Non-Alcoholic Day

Thursday, February 9, 2023, 16:15

Dry days can be hard, especially for tipplers in India who like to be happy and high, so much so that some can even go for adulterated and undrinkable stuff just to get the kick. So, here is what India's love for alcohol looks like.

Here's what National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), 2019-21 has found about Alcohol consumption among both men and women is higher in rural India than in urban India. Overall, 1% of women aged 15 and over drink alcohol, compared to 19% of men in the same age group. This breaks up into 1.6% (rural) and 0.6% (urban) among women, and 19.9% and 16.5% respectively among men.

What Is 'Dry Day'?

When the consumption or sale of alcohol is prohibited or restricted on a day owing to religious, cultural and legal reasons, then that day is known as a 'dry day'. The reasons can be legal, religious and cultural. This can be due to elections, government or state-level holidays, etc.

This was done to honour and draw awareness to Gandhi's stance on alcohol and therefore, the tradition of Dry began on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, 02 October. Gandhi had not only disapproved of alcoholism, but he had always objected to the sale of alcoholic beverages and illegal narcotics.

Alcohol Laws In India

There are certain states in India where there is a complete ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol and therefore, they are called the 'Dry states'. These states are Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, Manipur and Mizoram.

1. Bihar-

In April 2016, Bihar imposed a complete prohibition of alcohol in the state. It drew its inspiration from Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the state to endeavour to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health. However, the law was amended in 2018 under which some provisions were diluted.

'If a person is caught drinking alcohol for the first time, he/she will be fined Rs 2000-Rs 5000. If he/she doesn't pay fine,he/she to undergo 30-days imprisonment. If a person is caught drinking alcohol for 2nd time,he/she to undergo 1 yr imprisonment' mentioned ACS Education and Cabinet, Bihar on Twitter.

2. Gujarat

Since 1960, when the formation of Gujarat happened, the sale and consumption of alcohol have been prohibited. In 1949, the Bombay Prohibition Act was enforced after the demise of Mahatma Gandhi in the Bombay state and after bifurcation or division in 1960, the act was enforced in both states. In 2009, Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Act was enforced which prohibits selling, buying, manufacturing or distributing of spurious liquor and makes it a punishable offence. However, Maharashtra allows licenses for the distribution of alcohol.

3. Nagaland

The Nagaland Total Prohibition Act, 1989 which extends to the entire state of Nagaland says to totally prohibit the possession, sale consumption and manufacture of liquor in and of import and export thereof in the State of Nagaland.

This means (1) transporting, importing or possessing liquor, (2) selling or buying liquor, (3) consuming liquor, (4) manufacturing liquor; and (5) using or keeping any material, utensil, implement or apparatus whatsoever for the manufacture of liquor is not allowed in this state.

4. Manipur

The sale and consumption of liquor were banned on 1 January 1991 after the announcement by the People's Liberation Army in 1990 and then the government ban was soon followed by the passing of the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991 on 1 April. Later due to the revenue losses that the state was going through, in 2022, the cabinet of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh decided to partially lift the ban on brewing, consumption and sale of liquor to not only minimise health hazards caused by the consumption of illicit alcohol but to boost the state's revenue as well.

5. Lakshadweep

Except for the island of Bangaram, alcohol is prohibited on all islands in the union territory of Lakshadweep. Bangaram is inhabited and also has a bar as well.

6. Mizoram

The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995, was enforced from February 20, 1997, till January 15, 2015, when the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control Act) 2014 was notified under the Congress Government. An official statement said the Mizoram Cabinet in 2022 approved allowing the manufacture and sale of wine from fresh grapes harvested from local farmers under the provisions of the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Draft Rules, 2022.

List Of Dry Days In February 2023

Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti- February 15, Wednesday
Mahashivratri - February 18, Saturday
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti - February 19, Sunday

What Can You Do On Non-Alcohol Days?

In 2008, India proposed a World No Alcohol Day during the World Health Assembly in Geneva. They chose the date of 02 October as it marked the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The day aims to spread awareness of the negative effects of alcohol.
On Non-Alcohol days, when you are planning to pour yourself a glass of alcoholic beverage, but can't, you can try alternative activities and we are sure you will not regret them.

a. Meet friends for lunch or dinner
b. Go for a walk or ride a bicycle
c. Read a book or play a game
d. Bake your favourite desserts
e. Go shopping or watch movies
f. Write a letter to your favourite person
g. Invest in physical fitness
h. Practice meditation
i. Plan a vacation
j. Visit heritage sites
k. Update your fashion game
l. Go for a spa
m. Check for charity volunteer work