Madhya Pradesh (MP) will soon get rid of its alcohol shops and replace them with milk parlors, as announced by the state’s Chief Minister (CM) Mohan Yadav. This move will be compliant with the recent blanket ban on alcohol sales in 19 of Madhya Pradesh’s holiest cities and towns. CM Mohan Yadav has now publicly announced that liquor shops in the state will be swapped out for milk parlors as an effort to make the state addiction-free and boost the rural economy.
While MP isn’t transforming into a full-fledged ‘dry state’ like Bihar or Gujarat, it will enforce a blanket ban on 19 of its cities and towns. Out of these 19, 17 are places with religious and spiritual significance. A blanket ban on the sale of alcohol has been implemented across these cities starting April 1, 2025. Some of these cities and towns are as follows:
These holy cities and towns are significant religious sites in Hinduism, home to important temples and/or significant in Hindu mythology. Not just alcohol, but the sale of meat is also prohibited to ensure the sanctity of these religiously significant places in Madhya Pradesh.
MP CM Mohan Yadav announced publicly at a recent event that the state will soon swap liquor shops with milk parlors. It is an effort to not only prohibit the sale of liquor but also boost the rural economy by encouraging the supply of milk.
As the state plans to transform itself into an alcohol-free state, it is also turning to encourage local milk producers and suppliers in order to boost the rural economy.
This move will also be a step towards self-reliance and cow protection in the state as it aligns its rules and regulations to suit the religious sentiments of the majority. MP CM Mohan Yadav is aspiring to take MP’s milk production from the current 9 per cent to a whopping 20 per cent with the implementation of this move.
Gopal Se Gokul Tak Initiative
CM Mohan Yadav expressed in one of his recent speeches to emphasize of cow protection and foster traditional Hindu values. In traditional Hindu culture, the one who rears a cow is called a ‘Gopal’ while the one who looks after the entire cow family is called a ‘Gokul’.
Inspired by this philosophy, the government is planning to make most of its villages the ‘Ideal Vrindavan village’. These ‘Vrindavan’ villages will emphasize self-sufficiency by encouraging animal husbandry and dairy farming. This move will boost the rural economy and connect society with its traditional roots.
As the state bans alcohol in some of its most religiously significant cities and towns, it also aims to encourage the ‘Gopal Se Gokul Tak’ initiative. These initiatives and blanket bans will work in tandem to foster a socially peaceful environment and foster traditional Hindu values in Madhya Pradesh’s various communities.
Low Alcohol Beverage Bars
Even though MP has ensured a blanket ban on alcohol in 19 destinations in the state, it aims to introduce ‘low-alcohol beverage bars’. This move is a part of the state’s new excise policy, aiming to promote low-ABV (alcohol by volume) alternatives as it respects local cultural and religious sentiments.
Under this new policy, only alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages with a maximum of 10% ABV will be allowed. High ABV drinks like rum, whisky, rum, and others will not be allowed to be served at these bars.
However, unlike other states where alcohol sale and consumption is completely prohibited, MP’s policy does not penalize personal possession or consumption of alcohol. Individuals can legally bring liquor from outside these prohibited areas for personal consumption. This is a more liberal move than banning personal alcohol consumption altogether.
MP’s move to replace liquor shops with milk parlors is a move that will have multiple benefits. Not only will it lead to increased milk production and sales, in turn empowering the rural economy, but it will also improve public health by banning alcohol sales. The ban on alcohol in these religiously significant cities and towns will also keep up with the religious sentiments and ensure a spiritual and peaceful environment. What do you think of this move where milk parlors will slowly rise where liquor shops once thrived?
