Promotion and legalization of country liquor and marijuana
- Part 1 -

Thangniang Lunzosang Vaiphei *

Kang-kra - an item used for smoking during Shivaratri, a Hindu festival for Lord Shiva on March 10 2013
Pix - Deepak Oinam

Today, we see India growing and developing in the sphere of politics and economy which is highly accounted and respected in the world. The world recognizes India as a fastest growing economy as compared to other nations. However, the growth and development of India does not reflect the reality of Indian culture and tradition. The nation has been inclined towards the interest of the other nations.

This paper will discuss about the need to preserve, promote and legalize the traditional and cultural practices of the Indian society, especially on the issue of country liquor and marijuana. In fact, it will argue about the interference of state and society. It will also argue the impacts of dreadful Laws and Policies which are imposed over some sections of the societies who are engaged in such activities. The paper will strategically discuss about visioning the economic potentiality of the available resources by promoting and legalizing country liquor and marijuana to enhance a better livelihood sources as a path for Rural Development.

Introduction : Recently, we have heard about the Kolkata tragedy of liquor where many people died of consuming country liquor which is called as an illicit product. There was news about burning up of 1000 litres of Manipuri local made country liquor ( which could cost around Rupees ten-twenty thousand) and more than 3000kg of marijuana (which could cost around Rupees 100 crores at the existing market price) seized by the Excise and Narcotics Department in the state of Manipur.

All such issues have been on the rise in all parts of the country in everyday newspaper especially in Manipur, which require special consideration to resolve the problem. Country Liquor is an Indigenous product for different communities in India. Especially lower class societies are the main engagers in doing such practices.

Nearly about 8 percent of Indian Tribal population consumes their own country made liquor. It is considered as a household traditional practice where people make their own liquor for leisure. In tribal society "alcohol plays an important role in all stages from negotiation to celebration of marriage, as well as other major events" (Sharma, Tripathi, Pelto, 2010).

However, since the introduction of trade, some sections of societies are trapped within the trade and they are trading the local practices for their survival. Whereas, Marijuana basically known as Cannabis/Hemp also locally known as Ganja, has long way of tradition which is imbibed in the blood of the people, mainly the tribal society as well the Hindu priest community (Sadhus).

Their practices and uses of marijuana has been found and observed in many cases such as consuming marijuana for religious purposes and which formed an integral part of festival celebration like 'shivaratri'(Charles, 2001). Not only in religious activities, people used it as herbal medicine as well as for making clothes, shoes, rope, fibres etc.

Traditionally Liquor and Marijuana has been in use and utilized since time memorial. However, Religion became a hindrance for these practices, except in the case of Hindu religion. Besides, the state, civil society, Non-Governmental Organisation and Religion based organisation took an active role in abolishing the old tradition and present tradition in the society.

Many people belonging to lower section of the Indian society encountered a dreadful laws enforced by the state. The state is regulating and formulating such law which aims to solve the issue of the country by giving death penalty which actually is not required. People are trapped in the existing law which is a draconian law. We have such a law in our country which is going against the cultural reality and is biased towards pro-capitalist and not concerning towards the poor.

This paper will discuss about the conservation of society's culture and its tradition. It will describe and explain from the historical perspectives encompassing the status, uses, values, production, and cultivation and so on. It also tries to discuss the impact during the preindependence and post-independence period of the country.

It will fundamentally argue the need to repeal the prevailing laws and policies which are affecting the life of the people, mainly the tribal society. The impact and critiques of the legislation and its provision are also discussed in the paper. Moreover, this paper will argue the need to promote the country liquor and marijuana to generate income and address the legal part of the alcohol and drug policies for the betterment of the society. It also talks about the state to legalize the traditional practices and highlights the issue of people who fall into the trap of its consequences. It will discuss at the end the needs to promote and standardize which will ensure the economic sphere of the people who are engaged in these types of activities.

Historical facts on Country Liquor Making and drinking of homemade liquor is a very old tradition and it can be traced back to the history of human kind. It is somewhere similar with the existing practices we have in this era. Ritual drinking was an essential component of practices in certain religious sects. People believed that taking of alcohol was an integral part of power. Such practices have been vanishing since the emergence of State power and the rise of spirituality and the extreme belief in religion. Sharma, Tripathi and Pelto (2010) in their paper "The Evolution of Alcohol Use in India" believed that "Alcohol use in India dates back several thousand years, parallel to developments in China, as well as the early civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt".

The typical homemade liquor was profoundly drunk and used by people. Alcohol was used as an additional material for enjoyment and celebration during various occasions, mostly marriages and religious activities. In the Hindu society (i.e. caste society) there were numerous accounts of making and drinking alcohol by section of the caste society strata. It is "noting that alcoholic drinks were part of religious festivals, as well as being widely used among the nobility, Kshatriya warriors, and some other sectors of society". Mainly the high caste which belongs to the warrior groups enjoys the spirit of drinking alcohol from the ancient's days.

However it is also noted that, Alcohol is prohibited for some section of the society and extremely opposed to the making and trading of alcohol. Mostly the high caste groups who are engaged in religious teaching and ritual activities executed such prohibition. They also highlighted that; "Hindu religion social stigma and sanctions regarding alcohol varied among the four broad varnas (caste strata). The most severe prohibitions were for Brahmins (sacred, learned caste), while Kshatriyas (warriors) were allowed to drink on various occasions as part of their military ethos. Other castes (Vaishyas and Shudras), also seem to have had relatively fewer restrictions on alcohol use".

In some cases, punishment and religious law were also imposed on those who consumed or produced alcohol. Sharma, Tripathi and Pelto in their paper "The Evolution of Alcohol Use

in India" mentioned that; "The Vedic sources mention at least a dozen different kinds of alcoholic drinks, but drinking was also subject to severe censure in some of the religious scriptures (Puranas, Sutras and Smritis). Alcoholic drinks were particularly strongly forbidden to Brahmins, and punishments were imposed on drinkers. Even though there was an account of high caste involvement on drinking alcohol, Brahmins were out of such practices and against the tradition of consuming and producing alcohol.

They mentioned that, there were also movements aiming to abolish alcohol use and making initiated by strong religious groups. Mainly Buddhism and Jainism were leading the movements against alcohol. "Both these movements strongly condemned use of alcohol. The Buddhist Jatakas present moral tales about the evils of drink". Ashok Kumar Mishra (1999) pointed out in his article 'Tribal Women against Liquor' that; in Tribal society, the tradition of way of drinking is a part of their food habit.

"Liquor is considered as food and at the same time a ritualistic food to satisfy deities and spirit". The tribal love alcohol and enjoyed the spirit of it. Tribal believes drinking as a part of social cultural practices in which men and women enjoy equally. Alcohol is not considered as an evil thing instead it gives them more honour to the society.

Homemade liquor is regarded as an important necessity for household and it gives respect and dignity in the society by practicing such activity.

Liquor is fully utilized at maximum level during occasion likes marriages, death, birth, victory etc. But mostly during marriage ceremony, liquor is always used and considered as the most important things. Mishra (1999) mentioned that, at the time of marriage "Liquor is exchange between two parties as prestigious gift on earth". That gives the tribal a unique way of tradition which is unfamiliar from the present society. "Tribal use both distilled and fermented liquor in their socio-religious affairs".

They produce liquor by using plants and roots that are found in the jungle. Every household is the producer and consumer. There was no such restriction and prohibition in the society before the encroachment and interference from the non-tribal.

But after the rise of colonial and state, the use of liquor and its tradition sank gradually. The tribal are forced to leave to their tradition and culture to assimilate with the mainstream society who calls themselves the most civilized society.

Historical facts on Marijuana : Historically, the use of marijuana and cultivation (what we called 'Ganja' but name differ from place to place, country to country) was an integral part of their occupation. People consumed marijuana with a purpose and it has a deep meaning behind it which differs from one society to other society.

To meet the needs of its use, people practice marijuana cultivation in many parts of the states as well as around the globe. It has intensive relation with the society with its culture and tradition. It was consumed mainly for the purpose of religious activity, mostly in Tribal community, marijuana consumption was high. Tribal community used marijuana for various reasons and produce and reproduce for some useful items such as "ropes, cloths, shawls, nets etc and sometimes used as food products" (Charles, 2001)

Marijuana is closely related with religion, especially in Hindu religion the priest (Sadhus) are well known for their consumption of marijuana, which shows that, marijuana is permitted for religious purposes. Mainly during some Hindu festivals marijuana is being used and filled with the spirit of it. Occasionally too, people used it for different purpose. "Cannabis was used in the form of 'bhang', 'ganja' and 'charas'. These products were consumed for religious reasons and formed a part of festival celebrations like 'Shivaratri' (celebration of Shiva's marriage)" (Charles, 2001). The accounts of such practices are written down in many historical and religious books of Hindus society.

To be continued ...