In India, the subject of alcohol is controlled by the state governments. A 'Dry State' is a state where the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol (liquor) are strictly prohibited and illegal by state law.
Dry State Definition: A state where selling and drinking alcohol is illegal.
Total Dry States: Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Mizoram.
Dry UT: Lakshadweep.
Oldest Dry State: Gujarat (since 1960).
Currently, there are four states and one Union Territory that have complete prohibition (dry status):
1. Gujarat Gujarat is the oldest dry state in India. Prohibition has been in place since 1960 to honor Mahatma Gandhi, who was born there and strongly opposed alcohol.
2. Bihar The Bihar government banned alcohol completely in April 2016 to curb domestic violence and improve social welfare.
3. Nagaland Became a dry state in 1989 due to pressure from the powerful church bodies and civil society organizations.
4. Mizoram Mizoram has a complicated history with prohibition but fully re-imposed the ban on liquor in 2019.
5. Lakshadweep (Union Territory) Alcohol consumption is banned on all inhabited islands of Lakshadweep, except on the uninhabited island of Bangaram (which is a tourist resort).
Some states have partial bans. For example, in Manipur, alcohol is banned in some districts but allowed in others. In Kerala, alcohol is heavily restricted and mostly sold only through government-owned outlets.
The completely dry states in India are Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, and Mizoram. The Union Territory of Lakshadweep is also a dry area.
Gujarat has been a dry state since its formation in 1960 to honor the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born there and was a strict advocate for alcohol prohibition.
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