Liquor shop named after Hindu goddess: Massive protest erupts in Odisha

Odisha’s Bhadrak witnessed an unusual form of protest on Saturday as locals opposed the opening of a liquor bar named after a deity. 

In a unique protest, the locals staged a unique protest outside the district Collector’s office while performing ‘sankirtan’, chanting ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Rama’ and playing mridanga and jhanja (traditional musical instruments). 

According to sources, a liquor bar is set to open near Bhadrak Bypass. However, locals were enraged upon learning that the bar would be named Ambika and that it would be located in an area surrounded by temples leading to a growing discontent among residents.

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What Excise Policy Says

The protesters claimed that the 2024-25 State Excise Policy states that no liquor bar can be named after any deity. 

The locals also submitted a memorandum to the District Collector, demanding immediate action. They also warned to intensify their protest if their demands are not met at the earliest.

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“We are protesting here demanding that no liquor shop or bar should be named after any God or Goddess. We learnt that a bar named ‘Ambika’ is going to open near the Bypass; and hence, opposing it,” says Nityananda Sahoo, a protestor.

As of now, the district administration has not issued any official response regarding the matter.