The 10-day alcohol ban imposed in Pune during the Ganesh festival has been curtailed to two days following a strong rebuke from the Bombay High Court. The court questioned why Pune had been singled out for a blanket restriction when other parts of Maharashtra (e.g., Mumbai) were not under such a ban.
The development came when associations of hotel owners and wine shop owners challenged the Pune Collector’s order before the High Court. The original order prohibited the sale of alcohol during the 10-day Ganesh festival.
Chief Justice M C Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna expressed reservations about the blanket prohibition and said the court would intervene if the administration did not withdraw or modify the order.
Alcohol ban is limited to September 14 and 25
After the court’s intervention, Additional Government Pleader Kedar Dighe told the bench that the restriction would now only be in place until 4 pm on September 14, the first day of the Ganesh festival, and throughout September 25, the last day of the celebrations.
September 25 is Anant Chaturdashi, when large Ganesh immersion processions are traditionally held across Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. The day is already dry, so alcohol sales are prohibited.
The court accepted the government’s statement and directed the Pune Collector to issue a new order reflecting the revised restriction.
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 14 this year, marking the beginning of the festival and installing Lord Ganesha idols in homes and public pandals.
Consequently, the High Court asked why the government is imposing a 10-day ban
At the hearing, the Bombay High Court questioned the justification for imposing a 10-day prohibition specifically in Pune.
The bench also asked why Pune alone had been selected for such a restriction and criticised the arbitrary approach. The judges said authorities have a responsibility to keep law and order and to prevent disturbances during major public celebrations, but that it does not justify preventing licensed businesses from operating for the entire festival.
The court also said that not every individual who consumes alcohol will necessarily suffer a law-and-order problem.
The judges also expressed concern about the long-term impact of the ban on state excise revenue. The bench also made a light-hearted comment about health problems for regular drinkers if alcohol were suddenly out of reach for 10 days.
The order covered three police station areas
According to Atul Kande, Superintendent of the Excise Department, the earlier restriction was not applicable to the entire Pune district as initially perceived. It was limited to the jurisdictions of three police stations - Khadak, Vishrambag and Faraskhana.
Kande said that the modified order would be issued once the Excise Department got the court’s order.
But the revised prohibition will also be in place across the city of Pune on September 14 and September 25.
Hotel and wine shop associations challenged the order
The case was brought before the High Court by associations representing hotel owners and wine shop owners. They challenged the Collector’s decision to prohibit alcohol sales for the whole Ganesh festival period.
In the case of licensed alcohol sales-dependent businesses, a 10-day closure could have resulted in significant financial losses at a time in which Pune is experiencing increased activity, visitors and consumer spending.
The court’s intervention therefore led to a compromise in which restrictions remain on festival days, but businesses can operate during the rest of the celebrations subject to laws and licensing conditions.
Political debate also intensifies
The original 10-day prohibition had also triggered a political debate in Maharashtra.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant criticised the decision, saying it was indicative of a general trend of majoritarian politics. The government should take into account the sentiments of all the communities, the people and citizens’ rights and freedoms, he said.
The revised order now ends a 10-day blanket prohibition. Pune will have alcohol restrictions from the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi until 4 pm and throughout Anant Chaturdashi on September 25.
The decision is a result of the High Court’s intervention and will relieve licensed businesses of this, but allow authorities to stay tight at key festival events.
