Patna (BiharTimes): Rejecting the argument that imposition of the total prohibition impinged on fundamental right of citizens, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday referred directive principle to justify the ban on alcohol in the state.

"Article 47 of the Constitution gives direction that the state should protect health and nutrition of its citizen and strive to achieve total prohibition," he said in Saharsa, to justify his government's 5 April decision to put a complete ban on alcohol, country, spiced and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
"The Supreme Court has said in its order that connection with liquor and intoxicants cannot be fundamental right of anybody," Kumar said.

"Liquor does not come under the purview of Article 19 of the Constitution providing fundamental right to citizens," he said.

JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar during his trip to Patna on Saturday and Sunday had touched on the subject saying prohibition across country was not possible because freedom to eat or drink is a fundamental right..