The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a complete ban on the sale of liquor in 19 religious cities and gram panchayats from 1 April, 2025. The decision taken with the aim of respecting public faith and promoting drug addiction was approved by the State Cabinet on January 24, 2025 during a meeting in Maheshwar, the city of Lokmata Ahilyabai.
According to the decision, all liquor shops and bars will be closed in the Gram Panchayat boundaries of Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur and Amarkantak and in the Gram Panchayat limits of Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barman Kalan, Barman Khurd and Linga.
CM told historical steps
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the move as a “historic step” towards maintaining the sanctity of religious places and discouraging the consumption of alcohol in spiritual importance areas. The ban on liquor will be implemented in one municipal corporation, six municipal councils, six city councils and six gram panchayats. Alcohol ban is being implemented in these major holy cities, among them Ujjain, the city of Baba Mahakal, the origin of the Narmada River, considered the lifeline of the state, Amarkantak, Maheshwar, Orchha Ramraja Temple area, Omkareshwar. Apart from this, Mandla includes Satadhara region, Tapti Udgam region in Multai, Pitambara Devi Peeth Datia, Jabalpur Bhedaghat area, Chitrakoot, Maihar, Salkanpur, Sanchi, Mandleshwar, Vrindavan, Khajuraho, Nalkheda, Pashupatinath Temple, Kshetra Mandsaur, Barman Ghat and Panna. In such a situation, there will be complete prohibition in all these areas from 1 April 2025.
Liquor restriction purpose
With the move, Madhya Pradesh has joined many other Indian states, which have implemented liquor prohibition policies in religious or culturally important areas. The purpose of liquor ban is to promote more disciplined, faith-based society, reducing dependence on alcohol. People in Ujjain religious city have thanked the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, people living around the liquor shop said that they had prayed to Baba Mahakal and God was heard by his prayer. The people of the city say that he will now make offerings to Baba Mahakal and thank the youth also said that now there will be a reduction in accident due to liquor ban, drink and drive cases will not be made.