Imran calls increase in legal drinking age ‘illogical’

Bollywood actor to file PIL, wants minimum drinking age reduced.

MUMBAI:

Bollywood actor Imran Khan vowed to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Maharashtra government’s decision to scale up the minimum age for liquor consumption to 25 years, calling it “illogical”.

“I’m taking this step because I’m troubled by a growing perception that young people need to be managed, that they need to be handled,” said Khan. “People feel we are incapable of making rational, informed decisions for ourselves. As members of a democratic society, it is our right and sometimes our duty to stand up and ask whether our government is doing the right thing.”

The 28-year-old stated that the best way to take a stance was to go to court. “Through the PIL, I will be requesting the government to review the law. It is my opinion and the opinion of many other people that this decision is contrary to our constitutional rights,” he added.

However, keeping his diplomatic standards intact, he was quick to add, “I do not endorse consumption of alcohol. Alcohol can damage health, it can ruin careers, it can tear families apart. I have seen this personally. But I feel that when it is agreed that a person is an adult at a particular age, whatever that age may be, be it 18 or 21 years, they should have the right to indulge in any activity of their choice which is legal in that country.”

The actor will also launch a campaign on social networking site Facebook, calling it Power To Youth and intends to launch a signature campaign.

Khan denied this was a way to promote his upcoming movie Delhi Belly.”It might appear to be a publicity stunt to many. But this is an issue that is much larger than any film.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2011.