Hotel Gets Licence To Sell Liquor In Gandhi's Porbandar, Row Erupts

The Gujarat Home Department has officially granted a liquor licence to a hotel in Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, sparking a row.

Lords Inn, a 3-star business hotel located on the popular Chowpatty and which offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea, has secured a licence to operate a dedicated wine shop.

In a "dry state" like Gujarat, the Home Department grants liquor licences to premium hotels (typically 3-star and above) under the Prohibition Act to cater specifically to authorised permit holders and tourists.

The procedure is rigorous, requiring the hotel to submit detailed architectural plans for a secure, dedicated "Wine Shop" on its premises, followed by a multi-level review by the District Prohibition Committee and the Collector.

This process includes mandatory police verification of the owners and a strict "distance rule" ensuring the outlet is not located too close to educational or religious institutions. Once approved, the shop must operate under the constant oversight of the Prohibition and Excise Department, often with a dedicated Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) assigned to monitor transactions.

While the state maintains a policy of total prohibition, these licences are an established legal exemption designed to support the tourism industry and provide for residents with medical "health permits". 

However, the rules are highly restrictive: the hotel can only sell to individuals with a valid digital or physical permit, and consumption is strictly limited to the privacy of a permit holder's room. 

In a sensitive location like Porbandar, the government justifies the licence as a regulatory necessity for the 1,400+ existing permit holders in the district. 

The move has ignited a row because it pits these administrative and tourism-driven protocols against the symbolic and moral weight of Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace.

Local Congress leader Kantibhai Budhecha raised concerns regarding the social impact of the move. 

"Everyone knows the reality of prohibition in Gujarat," Budhecha remarked. "Opening a wine shop in Porbandar creates an environment that could potentially threaten the safety and security of our sisters and daughters."

Dr Shurkhaben Shah, a prominent Gandhian thinker, expressed deep disappointment over the government's decision. 

"Prohibition is a state-wide policy in Gujarat in honour of Gandhiji's legacy," she stated. "Selling liquor through an official shop in his own village is fundamentally inappropriate and contradicts the spirit of this land."

Addressing the procedural aspect of the controversy, Prabhatsingh Gohil, an official from the Prohibition and Excise Department, clarified that the licence was granted by the Home Department strictly in accordance with existing regulations. 

He noted that the facility is intended to serve authorised permit holders and visiting tourists. 

To ensure strict adherence to the law, the department will station a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) and a constable at the shop, he added.

While officials maintain that the shop follows legal protocols for a "Dry State," the clash between administrative convenience and cultural heritage continues to simmer in Gandhi's hometown.