Bihar Hooch Tragedy: BJP MPs Hold Protests Demanding Compensation For Victims' Families

BJP MPs from Bihar on Friday held a protest in Parliament complex demanding compensation for the families of those killed in the hooch tragedy in the state and resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Death toll in Saran hooch tragedy

The Bihar government has confirmed 38 deaths in the Saran hooch tragedy. However, the figure has been contested by the BJP which has claimed that more than 100 people have died.

"We have been protesting to demand compensation for families of those killed in the hooch tragedy. It is the moral duty of the state government to give them compensation," BJP leader Sushil Modi told reporters here.

'Government failed to implement liquor policy, Nitish should resign'

Kumar has "failed" to implement the liquor ban in Bihar, the BJP leader said. "Liquor ban policy in Bihar has been a complete failure," he said alleging that there is a nexus between the police and liquor mafia in the state.

Echoing similar sentiments, BJP MP Ram Kripal Yadav said, "Nitish Kumar should resign on moral grounds. He has failed as chief minister."

BJP MPs Vivek Thakur, Radha Mohan Singh, Sushil Singh, Ashok Yadav and Gopalji Thakur were among those who took part in the protest in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament complex.

Government's stand

The demonstrations come against the backdrop of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's refusal to pay compensation to families of victims who have lost their lives in the hooch tragedy this month. The government had reasoned that offering compensation to those breaking the law would amount to incentivising further law breaking. 

Kumar had also drawn flak for his remarks, wherein he said that drinking is bad and the example is in front of everyone that you will die if you drink. "Those who will drink liquor will die. The example is in front of us. We should express grief over such cases and go to these areas and inform them...But some people still engage in wrongdoing. How many people are caught?" the CM said to journalists on December 15.

(With inputs from PTI)