‘Tribals drink liquor,’ says Gujarat minister & former IPS, sparks row over prohibition November 18, 2025

Chhota Udepur: Former IPS officer and newly appointed Minister of State for Tribal Development, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, P.C. Baranda, sparked a controversy over the effectiveness of Gujarat’s liquor ban by stating that “a little bit” of liquor circulation was allowed even amidst prohibition, as tribals consume liquor.

Baranda, who rose from being a first-term MLA from Bhiloda to a minister, made the remarks while addressing a gathering during the government’s Gaurav Yatra in Naswadi, Chhota Udepur. Holding the hand of former Congress MLA Dhirubhai Bhil, the minister said,

“I came here as DSP in 2015. We became fast friends at that time. During coordination meetin

See Full Page