What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!-I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!- Patrick Henry

Wouldn't it be terrible if I quoted some reliable statistics which prove that more people are driven insane through religious hysteria than by drinking alcohol?- W.C.Fields.

As we are all aware, the state of Mizoram has been given several times a peace bonus by the central government. Especially the Thermal Project Power at Bairabi, an epitome of the state, was also presented to them as a peace award. But whosoever visited and stayed there not less than one week may come across the reality and its own contradictions.

The most common question we encounter is "who really administers the state of Mizoram?" Of course there is a constitutionally elected government of Mizo National Front (MNF) headed by Mr. Zoramthanga as the chief minister, but there are also Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), non-government organizations.

These two organizations are equally strong and they are almost de facto rulers. They are authorized to carry out certain task like "wall watcher" of the state. Thus, in the best analysis, these two organizations have assumed more powerful role than the elected government.

Mr. Zoramthanga is always proud to say that Mizoram is free from militant elements and hence, the most peaceful state in the Northeast India. However, by careful investigation, we cannot deny the fact that these two organizations are becoming more or less like underground organization in many aspects.

The simple definition of militancy is extortion of money by unfair means. Is the state of Mizoram really free from such activities? My answer is a big NO.! It's been a decade now that the MZP has imposed certain tax to all non-Mizo businessmen and other institutions.

Thus, whosoever refuse to comply with the dictate are tortured and the last resort for such persons is to leave the state for good. Apart from money extortion, the MZP general election is always conducted solely at the expense of the non-Mizo businessmen. The MZP membership comprises of College and University students.

There is a saying, "If the president of MZP doesn't possess a new brand car during his term, then he must be a crazy type of man." Thus, it's a bizarre that in what context the central government continues to bestow a peace bonus to such state?

Who is to be scared -Mr. Zoramthanga or Central YMA and the Church leaders? The YMA and the Church are the de- facto vigilant ministers. Apart from supervising funeral and social works, they are also involved in conducting elections of the state assembly and parliament.

Lalsangzuala Hmar has been elected as an MLA from Suangpuilawn constituency without the endorsement of Central YMA. What came next? The Central YMA not only imposed "social boycott on Lalsangzuala Hmar" but is also still trying to sabotage the developmental work done by him. Thus Central YMA has now attended the status of presiding officer and the most feared organization by the politicians and the elected government.

Now the most burning issue in Mizoram is total prohibition should be continued or not. As for me, I am going along with any kind of movements for the betterment of the society by upholding the downtrodden people. But I cannot stand on such prohibition as it is against the teaching of Christ.

The whole Church began to distort the biblical truth just for the sake of alcohol/wine. Ever since Mizoram is predominantly a Christian state it turns a deaf ear to the word of Almighty God.

Now-a day, in the Local TV channel and newspapers, the most broadcast and published title is "Liquor/wine is a sin" thereby twisting the Biblical scriptures just in order to suit their motives and vested interests? Their God must be crazy now!

One shouldn't forget that Jesus began his redemptive ministry by changing water into wine at Cana's wedding and again concluded his ministry by serving the same wine among all his disciples in the last supper. However, many fanatic Christians try to misinterpret the term "wine" into grape juice (non-fermented one).

One Bible commentary, according to Barnes, says, "The common wine of Judea was a pure juice of the grape, without any mixture of alcohol and was harmless. It was the common drink of the people and did not tend to produce intoxication". This interpretation is totally baseless, unwarranted and distorting the gospel truth.

In Greek‘OINOS' and in Hebrew ‘YAYIN'are fermented wine. Thus the Cana's wine and the wine being served by the Lord Jesus during the last supper were indeed fermented wine. (Strong`s concordance word no. 3196 Hebrew and Greek 3631).

Who knows, if the Central YMA were present during this auspicious occasion, Jesus Christ might be beaten to death and there would be no Saviour for a sinner like you and me..! Praise be the Lord..! There was no Central YMA those days..!

In fact, there is no total prohibition in the Holy Bible from Genesis to Revelation. On top of that wine was not regarded as sin. Wine was used even for sacrificial ceremony before Almighty God and was not prohibited even for a priest to drink. Look at Cro. 1 9:29; Ex 29:40; Lev 23:13; Num 15:5, 7, 10.

Wine was also included even for a tithe Deu 12:17, 14:23. Even Apostle Paul advised his co-worker Timothy saying "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illness".(1 Timothy 5:23), however, the Bible doesn't suggest getting drunk.

Here neither do I praise ‘wine' nor condemn it, but I am just stating the gospel truth. Honestly speaking, my heart is broken when the Central YMA and the Church go beyond the teaching of the Holy Bible but choose to follow the path of Talibanization.

In 1920, American government prohibited manufacture and sale of liquor because of the pressure from several Churches and hence adopted the 18th Constitutional Amendment. However, the repercussion was beyond explanations and the death toll increased to six times during 1920 – 1930.

Ever since, many youths were compelled to turn for cheap drugs and others intoxicants. Many policemen began to join ‘Mafia' and involved in liquor business. As a result, Chicago became the only completely corrupt city. In 1929, October 24, New York City, the Wall Street Stock Exchange had completely collapsed.

The reason behind is that all liquor tax which was meant for the government went to the ‘Mafia' by means of black money. Therefore, this period is known as the great ECONOMIC DEPRESSION for the United States of America.

Thus well aware of the negative consequences of prohibition, the American government eventually lifted the 18th Constitutional Amendment of alcohol prohibition acts. It was like a case of closing the gate of a fence after the mithun jumped out of its fold.

Even the notorious Mohammed Bin-Tuglaq tried to ban alcohol after he himself gave up consuming alcohol. He became infamous when he killed 25 of his pandits at one time. Whosoever found drinking alcohol were even butchered, or hands cut off and throats slitted off. However, he completely failed in his mission.

Now the most interesting question is; Why Mizoram is following the Talibanization model? It really shivered down my spine when I heard that the Central YMA had beaten one Manipuri youth for a mere accusation of selling some liquor in Mizoram. Enough is enough..!

It's a high time the MZP, Central YMA and the Churches should wake up from their deep slumber and come back to their senses. At the same time, I would refrain from commenting my native state Manipur. Because, officially a dried state but practically the wittiest state in Northeast India. You can find liquors in every half kilo-meter either in the Pan Shop or Hotel.

In conclusion, the unending debate over the total prohibition makes the Central YMA and the Churches unpopular and controversial. Thus, out of desperation, they are now trying to seek public opinions by casting secret ballot to ascertain whether total prohibition should be continued or not.

Meanwhile, I do hereby suggest that the Central YMA and the Churches should go back to Aizawl Centenary School to learn the new way of teaching ABC:

A= Aristocrat,
B= Bagpiper,
C= Contessa,
D= Director Special,
E= Eight PM,
F= Funte,
G=Gin,
H= Haywards,
I=Imperial Blue,
J= Johnny Walker,
K= King Fisher,
L= Lime Drop,
M= Mughal Monarch,
O= Old Monk,
P= Peter Scot,
R= Royal Stag,
S= Smirnoff,
T=Teachers,
V= Vat 69,
W=White Mischief,
X= XXX Rum,
Y= Yankey and
Z= Zingaro.