Russian Buddhist Monk Carries Liquor To Temple As Ritual Offering In Dry-State Bihar, Arrested
A Russian Buddhist monk seeking a serene calm through "tantra sadhana" (a type of meditation) with possession of alcohol at the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple in dry state Bihar found himself behind bars on Thursday.?
Monk held at the temple entrance
The authorities intercepted the monk at the entry of the world heritage site and 10ml of whisky in a 100ml bottle was found in his possession.?
"When the monk's bag was scanned before entry to the temple, the liquor bottle was found. He was arrested, produced in court and sent to jail," Bodh Gaya DSP Ajay Prasad told TOI.?
The monk was reportedly carrying the liquor as a part of some ceremonial "offering" for his planned meditation session of tantra sadhana.? ?
Bihar has witnessed a complete prohibition since 2016 and it notably applies to foreigners as well.?
Liquor ban in Bihar since 2016
The sale and consumption of alcohol was banned entirely in the state by the Nitish Kumar-led government in April 2016.?
It was done in line with the promise made to Bihar women by the CM ahead of assembly elections held the previous year.
However, the supply of alcohol in the state is still prevalent, and it can even be delivered to people's homes for an unregulated price.?
On the other hand, the marginalised rely on local booze, which has, in many cases, turned out to be fatal for them.?
In December 2022, 24 deaths were reported in Bihar's Saran district due to suspected consumption of spurious liquor.?
Bihar government's plan to tackle illegal liquor trade
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, in November 2022, announced a new plan to fight the perils of the illegal and spurious liquor trade.?
He promised a reward of Rs 1 lakh to those who give up their liquor business.
"We are strictly implementing prohibition in Bihar. Under the Sustainable Livelihood Scheme, assistance is being given to the people associated with the liquor business to start another job. A large number of people have taken advantage of this," he had said at an event while making the announcement.?
In December 2022, Nitish Kumar's cabinet substantiated his promise and approved a budgetary disbursement of Rs 610 crore for the scheme. The scheme proposed the provision of one-time assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the marginalised, especially SCs and STs, who were brewing country-made liquor until 2016.? ? ? ??
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