IS the right to drink one of the fundamental rights of an Indian citizen? The Constitution says no. The Directive Principles of State Policy, designed to create conditions conducive to the enjoyment of fundamental rights for all , states that prohibition of liquor is an important instrument for the achievement of justice and welfare. Prohibition, which is to become effective in Haryana from July 1, is already in force in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Manipur. Revenue short-falls from the loss of excise have reduced Hyderabad to bankruptcy, liquor smuggling in Gujarat has created a class of under world businessmen who ensure that liquor is freely avail able. In Kerala, the UDF government's ban on arrack did prevent it from being voted out. And "liquor deaths" in different parts of the country are now an almost inevitable consequence of lack of access to healthy alcohol. Drink may not be a fundamental right in India, but it appears to be a universally fundamental inclination.