Hornbill Festival 2024: Liquor Debate in Nagaland's Cultural Event

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Hornbill Festival
• Prohibition law in Nagaland

Why in News?

The 25th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is taking place amid debates on relaxing the 35-year-old Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989. 

Tourism Minister of Nagaland announced that tourists and stall owners are permitted to use Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) within the festival venue at Kisama Heritage Village. 

This decision has drawn criticism from influential church bodies, which oppose public alcohol availability, including traditional rice beer, at the state's largest gathering. Adding to the controversy, the state government is also considering a review of the NLTP Act.

Hornbill Festival

• About
  • The Hornbill Festival, initiated by the Nagaland government in 2000, is the state’s largest annual public event, designed to promote tourism and celebrate Naga heritage and culture. 
  • It serves as a unifying platform for the 14 recognised Naga tribes to showcase their unique traditions and practices. 
  • It is named after the hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribe.
  • The festival is a major tourist attraction, drawing over 1.54 lakh visitors in 2023, including 2,108 foreign tourists and 37,089 domestic travelers.
• Organized by
  • The State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments
• Held at
  • Naga Heritage Village – Kisama
• Alcohol and the festival
  • The Hornbill Festival highlights the ongoing debate over liquor prohibition in Nagaland. 
  • Academic experts note that it is the only time the government permits the open sale and consumption of Thutse, a local rice beer, reflecting a cultural-political struggle between Naga ethnic identity and Christian identity. 
  • Historically, the government has bowed to pressure to ban alcohol during the festival. 
  • While Tourism Minister supports easing restrictions on Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) to attract tourists, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) opposes the move.
    • NBCC asserts that visitors come to experience the state’s culture and heritage, not for alcohol.

Prohibition law in Nagaland

• Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act
  • Nagaland introduced complete prohibition in 1989 under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, supported by the Church and the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA). 
  • The prohibition traces its roots to the arrival of American Baptists in the 1870s, who introduced strict moral codes, labeling alcohol consumption as sinful and penalizing offenders. 
  • By the 1890s, alcohol was banned, with violators expelled from the community. 
  • Despite 87% of the population being Christian, predominantly Baptists, the traditional preparation and consumption of rice beer persist.
• State mulling to repeal the prohibition law
  • In the August state assembly session, the Nagaland government discussed the effectiveness of the prohibition law, highlighting concerns over the “Health Hazards of Spurious Alcohol.” 
  • Officials argued for regulating alcohol use instead of continuing prohibition, noting that the law’s objectives had not been achieved. 
  • They pointed to ongoing liquor smuggling from Assam, the presence of bootleggers, spurious alcohol, and increased narcotic use. 
  • The government is also motivated by potential excise revenue losses due to the policy. 
  • While the government is considering a change, the Church’s strong opposition remains a significant barrier.

Q.1. Why is the Hornbill Festival controversial this year? 

The 25th Hornbill Festival is controversial due to the government's decision to allow Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) at the event, drawing criticism from church bodies who oppose public alcohol consumption.

Q.2. What are the key concerns regarding the NLTP Act in Nagaland?

The Nagaland government is debating changes to the NLTP Act due to issues like liquor smuggling, spurious alcohol, bootlegging, and potential revenue loss, while the Church opposes the move citing moral and cultural reasons.

News: Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, and why the Church has frowned at relaxing rules around it | Hornbill Festival