A liquor ban came into effect on Tuesday in 19 religious cities and areas under select gram panchayats in Madhya Pradesh, including Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, and Maihar. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav hailed the move as a "historic step towards de-addiction." The decision, initially announced by the CM, was approved by the cabinet on January 24 during a meeting in Maheshwar, a town associated with the renowned medieval queen Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar.

Under the new rule, all liquor shops and bars will be shut down within the urban limits of Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur, and Amarkantak, as well as in the gram panchayat areas of Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barmankalan, Barmankhurd, and Linga.

The BJP government has declared these 19 areas, both urban and rural, as "completely sacred" and imposed a total liquor ban in these regions. In a statement, Mr Yadav called the liquor ban a "historic step towards de-addiction," emphasizing the "public faith and religious reverence" linked to these cities and rural areas as key reasons for the decision.

The ban, effective from Tuesday, covers one municipal corporation, six municipal councils, and an equal number of village panchayats. Notable religious sites affected by the ban include Ujjain, home to the famous Mahakal Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Amarkantak, the source of the Narmada River, which is considered the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh.

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