Krishnamurti Bandhi, a Chhattisgarh state legislator for the Bharatiya Janata Party, has developed an innovative strategy to tackle crimes, which are frequently committed when intoxicated. Bandhi, who previously served as the state’s Health Minister, has suggested using cannabis and bhang as an alternative, pointing out that these drugs don’t cause people to commit violent crimes like rape, murder, and dacoity. His remarks caused a significant uproar, with numerous members of Congress questioning how an elected official could support a drug that is illegal in the nation.
Bandhi, an MLA from the Masturi Assembly constituency, responded to the promise made by the Congress during the election to outlaw alcohol throughout the state, saying, “We have previously raised the issue in the state assembly and it will again be raised on July 27 as discussion on the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition BJP (in the assembly against the Congress government) is scheduled on that day.”
“It is my personal opinion and once I had discussed it in the Assembly in the past. I had told that somewhere alcohol is the reason for rape, murder and quarrel, but I asked (in the House) tell me whether a person who consumes bhang has ever committed rape, murder and dacoity?…To meet the addiction requirement and ban liquor, a committee has been constituted (in the state)…The committee should think how we can move ahead towards bhang and ganja (cannabis). If people want addiction, then they should be served such stuff which does not result in murder, rape and other offences. It is my personal opinion,” he said.