The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1955-08-06

on medical advice.
The Prohibition Inquiry Commission was set up last
year to explore the possibility of carrying prohibition to
other parts of the country.
And even before it finished it's fact-6ndins four the
had ordered shortening of the licensed sale
hours in the hotels and bar. of New Delhi
Since independence (is47), the Indian capital has
earned unenvabe reputation for its neverending round
of official parties and Prime Minister Jawaharal Nehru
than has reprmanded its citizens for what he
called their noxous and ensrvating cocktail habit"
When these friendly warnings had little effect,
the Delhi state legislature made belaed effort to dis
cuss a prohibition bill. But this withdrawn under
of the local hotel and catering industry and the
situation remained before.
Now, however, the issue has been taken up at still
higher level and midas governments Instructions
the government, after all, is Delhs bread and butter
will have to be obeyed. Meanwhile antquor advocates
have been further hearened by Ceylons announced de-
cision o follow in India's footsteps.
The revival of Buddhism in that island domain is a
contributory factor but India and particularly Bombay
state, is inclined to take most of the credit.
However, the successful implementaon of the dry"
laws remains doubt while the Portuguese possessions of
Goa, Damaun, and Du continue to lend themselves
bases for a well-organ smuggling campaign.
The system of health permits and the exemption af-
forded foreigners other which aid the crcum
venton of the law, particularly in the big cities
1t is also that although the Indian peas
up liquor still in hs village.
This represents an additional of revenue, and
economists assisting the Indian Planning Commission
have pointed that illicit dsation is assuming the
proportions of important cottage industry
The government and the Congress Party hope
the peasant from this illegal habit through we'll
planned scheme encourage other, useful cottage
industries bring him recreation in the form of motion
pictures and radio and the rural hntersnd so
that he will have easy to the nearest town.
Parallel plans also under way to guide industrial
labor and up and cheap of investment
that the higher wages enjoyed not frttered
away.
There one aspect of this piece of social legislation
which makes it unpopular even with those who uphold it,
The Indian people whole have been asked to
express ar opinion prohibition through public poll.
Even the investig alton commission has been
up solicit opinion, but to suggest and
means by which the law effectively be enforced.
Many Indians who agree with the policy in principle
point however, that state governments, armed with
sweeping powers do not permit redress under the
Constitution. For instance, police posse prohibition
raid can enter an Indian home without a warrant.
If citizen raises objection, he must be prepared
face charge of obstructng the law. Some OF these
raids carried after the police have received what
they call private information And when this information
is proved wrong the victim do nothing to compensate
himself for violation of privacy and of his fundamental
rights
Indians now hoping that with total, nationwide
prohibition perhaps just round the the
ment will replace policy of imposition with that of in
srucon and suggestion Cahdh they point out, used to
argue his great length, and he succeeded without
police assistance and without legislation.
In a country where the percentage of addiction al
ways been low the attempt to drive instead of guide
leading increasing resistance The Constitution OF
India, it is often pointed out lays down prohibition only
directive principle. midas armed forces, left strictly
this have proved that coercion is unneees
sary.