Prohibition in India

Whilst in Rishikesh I purchased some blackmarket alcohol, both beer and Indian whisky. What risk was I taking? What would be the consequences if apprehended.

A Chennai inlaw of mine remembers sneaky late night purchases of illegal booze with much affection. I think he misses the naughty thrill of it all.

He also told me of masses of Ambulances taking away dozens sick and dying men from a dodgey batch of homebrew.

So, *shrug* just remember that you don't know what you're drinking.

What do you mean by blackmarket? Just under-the-table type stuff because it was in Rishikesh?

That's correct. Just a few bottles of kingfisher and a bottle of spirits sealed and in a box.

That's not really the same thing. When it has a crayoned X on the bottle that is the fire water. Always, get the one with 3 X's on it because it shows they took pride in their moonshining and you are less likely to go blind..

I had some in Jaisalmer that came in a plastic bottle (as in a recycled Bisleri bottle or something), no idea what it was meant to be or how it was made but it sure made the late night coffee and chai taste good

Many Indians die, regularly, from drinking moonshine. Just ...don't.

This is true, it is not unknown for fertilizer, urea etc to be added to homebrew. It is really not worth the risk unless you make it yourself (which is illegal).

Many people also go blind after drinking chemical laced homebrew.

You would probably have been asked to make a generous voluntary contribution to the Police Widows and Orphans Fund.

The achohol ban is Rishikesh is a way of paying respect to Rishikesh as a holy site!! Though I'm sure it is a fuctional by law as well. If you're caught, be prepared for a stern lecture and the opportunity as Alan say to make a "donation"

Alongwith alcohol, isn't non-vegetarian food too banned in Haridwar and Rishikesh?

Yeah same as other places like Pushkar, Chitrakoot etc. etc.

Yes, but you know what happens where there's prohibition - some entrepreneur is always really to make a buck and there are always punters willing to pay over the odds.

I must admit I like the stuff, but I have always regarded places like Pushkar, Rishikesh and the entire state of Gujarat, as an opportunity to give my liver a break.

Do India's various prohibition arrangement apply to the drinker as well as the seller? That is, I know in some places it's illegal to sell alcohol--but does that mean you may not consume it either?

In places like Rishikesh I'm pretty sure it applies to the drinker as well. So watch how you go with that hip flask merchant!!