Tejashwi Yadav: Prohibition Law's Exploitation of the Poor

Tejashwi Yadav criticized Bihar's prohibition law, highlighting its misuse by police for exploiting the poor. He pointed out that 99% of those arrested were from marginalized communities, and alleged a nexus between police and smugglers, vowing to address these issues if his coalition gains power.

Tejashwi Yadav, a prominent leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), voiced strong criticism against Bihar's prohibition law, branding it as a 'tool' for the police to exploit the state's impoverished population both mentally and economically.

Yadav, while addressing a press conference, emphasized that a significant 99 percent of those apprehended under the stringent law belong to socially depressed communities. The prohibition law, implemented nine years ago, has led to over nine lakh registered violations and the imprisonment of more than 14 lakh individuals, mostly from marginalized groups.

Yadav alleged a troubling collusion between law enforcement and liquor smugglers, declaring that the current scenario facilitates an extortion racket under the guise of prohibition enforcement. He vowed that his party, if elected, would work to rectify these injustices.

(With inputs from agencies.)