Prohibition of intoxicating drinks

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: Article 47 · Topic: Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Rights in the Indian Constitution"

Meaning

Part of Article 47 asks the State to try to ban intoxicating drinks and drugs that harm health, except when they are used as medicine. This part is a Gandhian directive and reflects Gandhi's programme of social reform. Courts have used it to uphold prohibition laws as reasonable limits on Fundamental Rights.

Example

In F.N. Balsara (1951), the Supreme Court upheld Bombay's prohibition law by referring to Art. 47. Today Gujarat, Bihar (since 2016), Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep enforce prohibition, though this list can change. The debate weighs deaths from poisonous illicit liquor ("hooch") and lost tax revenue against the social harm caused by alcohol.

Don't confuse with

  • The nutrition and public health part of Art. 47: this is the same article, but that part is socialistic. Exams test this split.

Related concepts

Read more