A demonstration was held here during celebration of the Independence Day on Monday protesting against liquor sale across the State.
The protest was held by the Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (UGSN) and the Rashtriya Yuva Sangathan at Gandhi Peeth at Purighat to put pressure on the State Government for total prohibition of liquor sale and manufacture, a commitment made during the freedom struggle.
Hundreds of volunteers took a silent procession after flag hoisting at Choudhury palace and marched towards Gandhi Peeth, where they paid homage to the Father of Nation. The protest led by woman leader laxmipriya Mohanty demanded complete prohibition of liquor sale.
As liquor is considered as one of the major factors behind many evils, people of India during freedom movements were promised that liquor would be prohibited in the independent country.
The Constitution of India under Article 47 has mentioned about prevention of liquor in view of public health. Even, the Orissa Prohibition Act had been passed in the State Assembly in 1956. However, the State Government is yet to implement the law prohibiting the liquor sale, UGSN office-bearers lamented, pointing out that the crime rate is on the rise in the State and several families are ruined due to liquor consumption.
While the States like Bihar, Kerala and Gujarat are on the path of development adopting liquor prohibition,
Odisha is encouraging liquor manufacture and sale, alleged the UGSN.