In Rewa village, on the banks of the Budhi Gandak river in Muzaffarpur, 35-year-old Lallan Sahani and his friends sit outside his house, discussing how Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s prohibition policy has “wreaked havoc” across Bihar.

“ Nitish Kumar has done good work during his tenure. This (prohibition) is the only mistake he has made. Liquor is still available, just more expensive. And those who drink end up in jail. Only the poor suffer,” says Sahani, as his friends nod in agreement.

Listening from behind the door, 50-year-old Asha Devi storms out of the house. “All you men want is to drink and get wasted. You will be beaten up now—get lost!” she scolds. “Nitish Kumar has done the right thing. Men come home drunk and shout ‘khana de’. After drinking, my husband talks of buying buff

See Full Page