Boost immunity against hooch: Bihar industry minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth

PATNA: Amid increasing incidents of hooch deaths in the state, industry minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth has kicked up a new controversy by suggesting the youths to raise their immunity power through sporting activities so that they would be able to "tolerate" spurious liquor. He said spurious liquor being smuggled across the state after enforcement of total prohibition has led to "slow poisoning of the people".
In a video widely shared on social media, the minister is heard saying that the improved body strength might help tolerate the poison of spurious liquor although it would be fine if the people give up drinking because "only poison is being supplied in Bihar (in the name of liquor)".
"Illicit liquor reaching Bihar is causing slow poisoning of the people. But indulging in sporting activities can give them strength to tolerate it. So, indulge in sporting activities to boost up your immunity...Khub daude, khele-kuden aur shareer banayen," Mahaseth told the media in Hajipur on Wednesday. The minister was speaking on the sidelines of the three-day 29th Bihar State Senior Ball Badminton Championship which began on Wednesday.
He also made an emotional appeal to the people to quit drinking soon, saying only poison is being supplied to the state in the name of liquor. "I would like to inform the people that it is poison and not liquor which is reaching the state. Consuming such liquor could damage their kidney, brain and even prove life-threatening," the minister said.
His remarks come in the light of deaths of more than 35 persons due to consuming spurious liquor in Saran district, causing nationwide furour.
The state government enforced total prohibition in April 2016, a year after forming his government with the support of Mahagathbandhan partners.
Under the prohibition law, the sale, manufacture and consumption of liquor remain strictly banned in the state. Yet, the incidents of hooch deaths have been taking place at regular intervals in a huge embarrassment to chief minister Nitish Kumar.