Bihar Hooch deaths : Nitish Kumar says ‘no compensation’ to the deceased

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said his government won’t compensate families of those killed by illegal liquor. The Janata Dal (United) chief, under fire from the opposition after the latest hooch tragedy in the nominally dry state passed 50, told the state Assembly ‘no compensation will be given’ and reiterated his ‘if you drink, you will die’ warning.

Nitish Kumar was responding to CPI MLA Satyendra Yadav’s request for monetary compensation to bereaved family members.

“Alcohol-related deaths won’t be compensated. Those who drink and die deserve no sympathy or compensation. If you drink, you’ll die. Those who advocate drinking won’t help you “News agencies cited the PM. ‘Only hatred & lies’: Tejashwi hits back at BJP for assembly ruckus over Bihar hooch deaths

“Please do not take such a stand… have always looked upon Left parties as allies… if you people feel prohibition is wrong then say upfront. The law was brought in with the consent of all. If all today think we were in the wrong, we may withdraw it,” he said.

“But do remember deaths have taken place because of a filthy habit (ganda baat).”

The CM’s statement came before the lunch recess and after a walkout by BJP MLAs.

Earlier today lawmakers from the BJP – now in the opposition after Nitish Kumar in August broke ties with his former ally in favour of the Rashtriya Janata Dal – took out a ‘protest march’ led by Leader of the Opposition Vijay Sinha to governor Phagu Chauhan’s residence.

Sinha was quoted by news agency PTI as saying the events in Saran were ‘state-sponsored mass murder’. The BJP’s march came amid reports of at least 30 deaths in the district.

Before the march opposition MLAs created a ruckus in the Bihar Assembly as deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was answering a question. In videos shared by news agency ANI they could be heard shouting slogans and one member was seen carrying a chair.

The Nitish Kumar government has banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state since April 2016 – a ban that has remained despite fierce protests by opposition parties and sketchy implementation of the rules, which leads to regular tragic episodes such as this.

An embattled Nitish Kumar – who faces calls to resign on this and other issues – has insisted the ban ‘has benefitted several people’. “A large number of people have given up alcohol…this is good. Several people have accepted… but there are some troublemakers… have told officers to identify and capture them,” he told reporters on Thursday.

The chief minister also lashed out at those who drink despite the ban and warned ‘peeyoge toh maroge’ – a remark that kicked up even more controversy.