BATHINDA – The Punjab Government has given its nod to ‘Ghadar Special’ brandy. But those associated with the Ghadar Movement see this as an insult to the martyrs.
In 2008, the Punjab Government had approved the sale of liquor named ‘Rang de Basanti’. It had to withdraw the brand after various associations opposed it. Before that the government had allowed the sale of brands named “Rano”, “rasbhari”, “Heer” and “Tamanna”.
The Excise and Taxation Department approved the sale of ‘Ghadar Special’ on March 31 for sale in the fiscal year 2014-15. A product of a Patiala-based distillery, it is priced at Rs 81 per bottle.
Pulse Manch leader Amolak Singh said thousands of people had lost their lives in the Ghadar Movement. “It seems the government is trying to turn the youngsters towards liquor with such brand names,” he remarked.
Social activist Lok Bandhu claimed that the remains of martyrs that were found in a well in Ajnala were of those killed during the Ghadar Movement. “By allowing a liquor brand to be named after this movement, the government is sending a wrong message to the youth,” he said. Excise and Taxation Officer Rajbir Singh said the manufacturers claimed that the brand had been in the market for the past several years. Taxation Commissioner Anurag Verma said he was not aware of the matter.
