LIG Survey : Public Opinion on Legal Drinking Age

One LiG user not just questioned ‘freedom of choices’ but religious prohibition as well. “I think real freedom of choice comes when we choose to do the right thing. Imran Khan of all people shouldn't be lobbying for drinking - isn't alcohol prohibited in Islam? – ROMILA SUNDARESAN.

 

On the other hand Imran has got some support in TINA DANANI, she said, “it should be the right to choose , and the actor in context has made it very clear he does not preach or propogate or stand by it, its just the freedom to choose ...what a democracy it is otherwise wr u cant make a choice and if u can marry and vote thats ur right than so be boozing.”

 

VENKATESH DALWAI, a lawyer by profession and an LiG site member questions the choice of the PIL, he quipped, “Wrong cause PIL, Freedom of choice does not mean freedom to get spoiled.”

 

SAMPAT SHETTY from Mumbai believes in regulation of sorts, he adds, “21 is the appropriate age to start with. I feel that the legislation should be aimed at penalizing and or community service for those who are caught drunk above permissible level. This would curb and rationalize the consumption of alcohol.”

 

ROHAN CHOWDHURY thinks that the society has more evil, read tobacco, than an alcohol ban, “There are worse concerns which the upa govt. should be focusing on right now, alcohol kills far less than tobacco, both chewing n smoking, the idiot govt. always lights upon things that are not necessary, how many boozes in the public ?...but ppl chew gutka or smoke in public raising the number of indirect smoking, i really do not understand the harm of drinking, since most of the health damages are reversible through proper diet n medication, but in case of tobacco.”

 

Ronisha, a BA (Hons) student and a media profesional is amused, " It is understood that a person beyond 18 is supposed to be responsible for himself/ herself."

 

RAKESH DUTTA too share the same thought, “even if the law is passed I am pretty sure it wont be implemented.”

 

V SIVA PRASAD REDDY on the other hand is comfortable with the age and balance, he said, “I would go with "25", As 21 is a age where people just come out of grad collages... they have still long way to learn Life and become more mature. the Next 4 years after 21 will help them learn and train themselves with the way life goes and responsible and mature attitude. Then they will know Boozing is just a part of entertainment not Life. With this they will be able to control the life with Alcohol le effect.”

 

If you are old enough to decide who should form the government you should be allowed to drink. SRIRAM AIYAR

 

SUBIR SINHA somehow smells a rat, “he is misguiding the youth for something which can cause irreparable damage to the health and career of a youth and that needs to be condemned in strongest possible term .I do agree with u that like me he has right and freedom to express but let me bring to ur kind notice that any freedom carries responsibility and nobody on earth can misguide the youth of nation because he has pocketed few bucks from companies marketing alcohol.”

 

Many of our readers, believe is responsible drinking, ANKUR SHARMA from Noida supports a lower age for drinking, “18. We are responsible for our actions once we attain adulthood. Then why have a different age bar for drinking?”  So did ARITRO BHATTACHARYA from Lucknow and mentions a special clause, “If you can give me the right to choose the people running my country at 18, why not let me decide if i m old enough to drink. (PS - Im not old enough to drink).

 

ANSHUMA KSHETRAPAL a writer from Delhi rubbished the 25 year old law/theory, she rubs, “20. Extending beyond that age is just ridiculous.”

 

Whereas VIKRAM CHHETRY a software engineer from ApnaTech gathered some scientific and social evidence, “Why we are allowed to vote only after 18? Because at 18 our mind is mature enough to take decisions. Why boys and girls can get married only after 21 & 18 respectively?” More reasoning,” Because their (girls and boys) body is prepared enough to handle reproduction. Then why can not I drink after 18 when medical study supports it? And what difference will it make if you move it to 21 or 25?”

 

AVI KAPOOR, a finance editor from Veda Informatics, stays firm with the nearly global standard of 21 years. He said, “It should be min 21 or after marriage, whichever is later. If govt believes that a male can't handle a female (marriage) before this age, how can he handle alcohol? Its better to drink after life becomes hell. (not applicable in case of gals age 18) ;).”

 

pic - flikr and maxcdn 

text - Public