The demand for prohibition of alcohol use in the State mounted as political parties, social organisaitons and women’s forums debated the issue painstakingly on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Friday.
During the launch of Jan Sampark Padayatra, ruling BJD leaders talked about the initiatives taken by the Government to keep the youth community away from use of toxic products and alcohol.
Expressing concern, State unit of the BJP that kicked off the Satyagraha in all 147 Assembly constituencies against the Naveen Patnaik-led Government also raised the issue.
The prohibition of alcohol was also a part of the issues debated at a meeting held at the Congress Bhawan here during Gandhi Jayanti celebration.
Besides, the issue was raised at a Government programme organised at Swaraj Ashram at Telangapenth in Cuttack district on the occasion.
Similarly, Padayatras and meetings organised by the Gandhi Vichar Abhiyan and the Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board also highlighted the need of alcohol prohibition.
Recalling statements of Gandhiji, veteran freedom fighters, students and others opined, “Development is not possible if use of alcohol will not be fully stopped in the State.”
On this occasion, several revolutionary youths too joined a one-day fast organised by the Nisha Mukti Yuva Sankalp Abhiyan at the Gandhi Marg here demanding for a toxic-free Odisha.
The Odisha Mada Mukti Abhiyan (OMMA) placed a proposal for complete alcohol prohibition at a special village meeting.
The Association of Woman Panchayat Representatives also joined the meeting and observed the auspicious occasion as anti-liquor day.
Several other organisations also started the campaign against use of alcohol from Friday. Even the issue was raised through articles in many newspapers.