Sangrur, December 24

For many farmer leaders of Punjab, the consumption of liquor is a personal issue and they are unwilling to discuss it during the ongoing protest at Delhi border. But for the leaders of BKU (Ugrahan), which is the largest outfit, the debate must go on over it to convince its members against it.

All of its state panel members have shunned liquor consumption many years back as they say it may have an adverse impact over their fight for farming.

Even during the present protest, the “experienced” leaders, who once used to drink and understand the side-effects, are trying their best to convince maximum number of their members to stay away from liquor.

“Even during our routine meetings, we keep motivating our members to shun liquor. During the present stir, our members are repeatedly trying to motivate our cadre to do so. Our members understand the gravity of the situation and take our advice positively. No one in our state panel consumes liquor,” said Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary of BKU Ugrahan.

Some young members, while talking to The Tribune, said that they usually have detailed discussions about liquor consumption during their meetings. Their leaders always try to convince them against liquor consumption.

BKU (Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan admits that he was a hard drinker and stopped liquor consumption after many years. He said volunteers and senior leaders had been making regular checks during the tir and to date, not a single member had been caught with liquor. — TNS