Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended the 350th birth anniversary of tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh being observed as Prakash Utsav in Patna, lauded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the total prohibition policy which he said was aimed at bringing social change and saving the
coming generation from the menace of liquor. The PM praised Nitish also for organising a mega “Prakash Utsav”.
Addressing a huge gathering of Sikh pilgrims coming from various parts of the world at Gandhi Maidan, the Prime Minister just stopped short of declaring it a national policy but said that Bihar will certainly inspire the nation for prohibition. He called upon all, including political parties to support Nitish in his endeavour, saying it was not the job of only Nitish Kumar and a Government but everyone has to play part in making it a success.
“Any step for social change is very difficult and very few people dare to do it. The campaign launched by Nitish is highly laudable for which I heartily thank him. I am sure he will be successful in his endeavour,” Modi said.
Incidentally, the leaders of Bihar BJP have opposed certain provisions of the Bihar Excise and Prohibition Act, 2016 calling them draconian.
Earlier, referring to the prohibition policy, Nitish said it was a tribute to the last Sikh Guru, who was born in Patna, and to Mahatma Gandhi, who had launched his Satyagraha movement from Bihar’s Champaran a century ago. “Prohibition had been implemented in Gujarat long back and Modi ji during his 12 years tenure as CM too enforced this policy strictly. A liquor-free society will take India to new heights,” said Nitish.
Expressing confidence that the Prakash Utsav would create new image of Bihar across the world he announced that centenary celebrations of Champaran Satyagraha will also attract people to Bihar and help propagate the Gandhian ideologies. He announced to develop a Sikh circuit linking all the places in Patna, Rajgir, Munger, Ara, Katihar, Gaya, Nawada and other places in Bihar where Sikh Gurus like Guru Nanak, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh had visited.
The Prime Minister said the Centre has sanctioned Rs 100 crore to observe Prakash Utsav in different parts of the world through Indian diplomatic missions. Recalling the sacrifices made by the tenth Guru, Modi said his teachings would strengthen the national unity and integrity and instil sense of brotherhood and social harmony.
Reacting to PM’s compliments on prohibition, senior Bihar BJP leader later on said the party supported the liquor ban and Bihar was inspired from Gujarat to implement it. “If Governments do good work they should be praised. Nitish also praised demonetisation decision of Modi,” he said.
The function was also addressed by Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind. Those who shared dais included Union Ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Other Ministers, including Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, his Bihar counterpart Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and lalu Prasad were seated in audience.
Modi, who prostrated before the Granth Sahib, was received at the airport by the Bihar Governor and Chief Minister besides top officials. The Prime Minister flew back after staying here for nearly three hours.