Minister quotes lines from 'Madhushala', speaks on liquor's power to unite at de-addiction event
Balrampur, Sep 1: Chhattisgarh School Education Minister Premsai Singh Tekam courted controversy by reciting lines of Harivansh Rai Bachchan's legendary book 'Madhushala' at a de-addiction programme, and going on to say that liquor unites people but must be consumed in a controlled manner.
Post the programme here on Tuesday, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party said there was no shortage of "cartoons" in the state's Congress government led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
A one-minute video of Tekam's speech at the programme, organized by the police under its 'Nasha Mukti Abhiyan' and attended by school children in Wadrafnagar, went viral on social media on Thursday.
"Harivansh Rai Bachchan ji had written 'mandir masjid jhagda karate, lekin ek karati madhushala'. But there should be control (in consumption of liquor). You should have control on your own," the minister said in his speech.
"I attended a meeting where one section opposed the consumption of liquor citing its ill effects, while another section favoured it citing its benefits. Liquor unites everyone. We also use it sometimes in celebrations and elections," Tekam said.
He went on explain that "daaru (liquor) meant 'D', which also stood for dilution with water as well as duration, as all of it must not be had at once.
He advised the gathering about the ill-effects of alcohol and said one must not get addicted.
Hitting out, BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar said, "Bhupesh Baghel ji's government and party are full of cartoons. None of them have understanding of subjects. This is not a functioning government but a puppet show being controlled by Delhi (referring to the Congress high command)."
Tekam could not be contacted for his comments despite repeated attempts.
His statements on liquor come soon after state BJP MLA Krishnamurti Bandhi had recently suggested that "bhang and cannabis" be encouraged as alternatives to liquor, claiming persons hooked on these substances hardly commit offences like rape, murder and dacoity.
#WATCH | At a de-addiction drive, Chhattisgarh Min Premsai Singh Tekam says, "There should be self-control. I once went to a meeting where they spoke for & against liquor. One side spoke of its benefits. Liquor should be diluted, there should be a duration (to consume it)"(31.8) pic.twitter.com/FE8HJd3ktD
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) September 1, 2022
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Uttar Pradesh: Journalist among two held for 'offensive' comments on Maha Kumbh, Hindu deities
Barabanki (PTI): Two men, including a journalist, have been arrested here for allegedly making objectionable social media comments on the Maha Kumbh and Hindu deities, police said on Wednesday.
The two were held Tuesday evening after their remarks sparked anger among some members of the Hindu community, prompting the police to issue an alert for enhanced social media monitoring.
City Kotwali SHO Alok Mani Tripathi said, "Kamran Alvi was arrested after he posted a video related to the Maha Kumbh. It offended some people. The higher authorities took note of the video.
"The accused was promptly arrested, and a case was registered under section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the BNS Act for insulting religious symbols. He will be presented in the court," Tripathi said.
Alvi describes himself as a journalist on Facebook where he has more than 9,000 followers. He runs a news portal.
Police said they are investigating others involved in the circulation of the video.
In the second case, SHO Amit Pratap Singh said, "Abhishek Kumar, a resident of Boja village near Jaidpur, made objectionable remarks on social media about Hindu deities and the Maha Kumbh. A case has been registered and the accused arrested".
Being organised after 12 years, the Maha Kumbh -- one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages -- kicked off on January 13 in Prayagraj and would continue till February 26.
