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7h ago

BJP Demands Ouster of MP Congress Chief Jitu Patwari Over Claim on Women’s Alcohol Use

Fact-checks cite NFHS-5 data showing 1.6% of women in Madhya Pradesh report drinking, far below northeastern states.

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Congress leader Jitu Patwari with party leader Bhupesh Baghel addresses a press conference, in New Delhi.
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Overview

  • At a Bhopal press event, Jitu Patwari asserted that women in Madhya Pradesh consume more alcohol than anywhere in India and blamed BJP rule for rising intoxication and drug activity.
  • Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and BJP leaders labeled the remark an insult to women, invoked beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna scheme, and demanded an apology from Congress and Patwari’s removal.
  • Official NFHS-5 figures contradict Patwari’s central claim, with Arunachal Pradesh near 24–26% and Sikkim at 16.2%, compared with 1.6% of women in Madhya Pradesh reporting alcohol use.
  • Patwari refused to apologise, cited reports including NFHS-5 to argue women’s drinking has risen in rural MP, and questioned BJP leaders over photos with alleged drug-linked figures.
  • The row has broadened into a debate over gender sensitivity, data accuracy, and liquor and drug policy in Madhya Pradesh, with no resolution as of late August 26–27.