Nishchay 2025: Kharghar Citizens Push For Liquor-Free Zone At State-Level Convention On July 13

Nishchay 2025: Kharghar Citizens Push For Liquor-Free Zone At State-Level Convention On July 13

The event, scheduled to be held from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, aims to mobilise public support and influence policy decisions during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly.

Sameera Kapoor MunshiUpdated: Saturday, July 12, 2025, 07:44 PM IST
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Kharghar Citizens Push For Liquor-Free Zone At State-Level Convention On July 13 | Pexels Image

The long-standing citizens' campaign to get the goverement to declare Kharghar a liquor-free zone is set to reach a critical milestone as the state-level convention, "Nishchay 2025 – From Liquor-Free Kharghar to an Addiction-Free Society," is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, at A.C. Patil College of Engineering, Sector 4, Kharghar. 

The event, scheduled to be held from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, aims to mobilise public support and influence policy decisions during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly.

The movement to keep Kharghar alcohol-free is rooted in a history of collective resistance that dates back to 2002, when residents including villagers  of the developing node firmly opposed the establishment of a liquor shop.

 In a symbolic and community-led vote held in village. Sangarsh committee members recalled that the villagers used symbols of a  standing bottle to signify support and a fallen bottle to denote opposition. 

"The fallen bottle won by majority, and the applicant was denied permission prompting the person to seek for legal recourse.  A few years later, the issue resurfaced, leading to another round of public voting, which once again decisively rejected the proposal. However, despite popular resistance, political pressure eventually led to the opening of the area’s first wine shop," said a member Sanjay Jadhav 

Since then, residents have continued their struggle, managing to restrict the expansion of alcohol outlets for several years. But things took a turn during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2019 and 2020, multiple new liquor shops began operating in Kharghar. The most recent outlet was opened earlier this year, reigniting public outrage and prompting renewed action from the community.

Presently there are reportedly four liquor shops operating in the node. Concerned in January 2025, the citizens’ group Sangharsh launched a peaceful, constitutionally-grounded protest campaign. It began with a demonstration at the Raigad Collector’s office, followed by one- and two-day hunger strikes to draw attention to the cause.

 Now, activists plan to escalate their efforts with a protest at Azad Maidan on July 14, and if their demands continue to be ignored, an indefinite hunger strike is planned from October 2.

The July 13 convention seeks to bring together legal experts, public health officials, and social reformers to deliberate on policy solutions for an addiction-free society. Key speakers include Justice (Retd.) Satyavan Dharmadhikari of the Bombay High Court, Dr. Minin Vajhe, Chief Coordinator of the Maharashtra State De-addiction Cell, Anjali Deshmukh, an activist and agricultural scientist, Anil Koli, an addiction therapist, and Dr. Ajit Magdum, founder of a reputed de-addiction centre.

Organisers argue that their demand is both legally feasible and socially necessary. “Under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, several provisions allow for regions to be declared liquor-free. We are simply asking the government to exercise the law in the interest of public welfare,” a Sangharsh representative said.

The convention, supported by A.C. Patil College of Engineering, will begin with registration and breakfast at 9:00 AM. Sessions will include expert talks, panel discussions, and the passing of a resolution calling for a legally binding declaration of Kharghar as a liquor-free zone.

Citizens, youth groups, educational institutions, and social organizations have been invited to attend and lend their voices to the growing movement. For participation or further details, residents may contact the Sangharsh team at 9869000823 or 9322066393.

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