College life, as some would say, is incomplete without alcohol, cigarette and drugs. As it is said and experienced, “You may not like the taste, but you will like the high.” And who can forget the combination of “Chai and Sutta.”
Moving ahead, alcohol and cigarette are legal, so let us keep them apart from our discussion. But how come illegal drugs too are so so famous all across the Indian colleges? Ganja, cocaine and god knows what else are used everywhere. And Bhaang? It is available openly during Holi. Is the Government unaware, or have they just chosen to ignore it?
Well, I know if you are one of those who like Ganja and Bhaang, then you don’t give a damn about what the government thinks. Because if you did, you already would have known about it, and you wouldn’t be reading this article. Actually the fact is, nobody gives a damn! These drugs can easily be bought without any risk of being caught whatsoever at any simple stalls available outside colleges throughout the country.
Let us dig a little deep into what our government says about the use of marijuana in India:
Until 1985, marijuana was legal in India. After that the government stance towards it has been “illegal”, but not enforced. Now, that is a very tricky thing to say!
The law as prescribed in this PDF file by Narcotics department states:
Consumption of Cocaine, morphine, heroin in small quantity can lead to imprisonment for 1 year or fine up to Rs. 20,000 or both
Consumption of Other drugs (Ganja for our case here) in small quantity – Imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to Rs. 10,000 or both
The file also suggests that:
Any officer superior in rank to sepoy, peon or constable can, without warrant (from a magistrate) or authorisation (from a gazetted officer), search any building , conveyance or place between sunrise and sunset (Section 42). He can also search between sunset and sunrise under certain circumstances.
So, if someone comes searching you for drugs, you can’t even ask for a warrant from him/her. OK, enough about these legal aspects. We all know what the truth is. Even if someone catches you, a 500 rs bribe would be more than enough to get you out from that situation. And this is what the Wikipedia page about Legality of Cannabis by Country has to say about India too:
Used during observance of certain Hindu rituals. Government-owned shops in holy cities like Varanasi sell cannabis in the form of bhang. Despite the high prevalent usage, this law is Illegal but rarely enforced and treated as a low priority across India. Tourist may often be searched by police officers, but usually in the goal of being bribed and not punished. Further, large tracts of cannabis grow unchecked in the wild in many parts of northern and southern India in many states such as West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Many states such as West Bengal, Tripura, and the North East have their own laws allowing cannabis, locally known as ganja.
Hmmm! That is true, but nonetheless insulting when you read it on Wikipedia. However, Bhaang is legally sold in some cities of religious importance in authorized government shops like Varanasi.
Some would say why does government show this kind of double standard towards ganja and bhang? Why place them in same category as that of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin? And arguably some would even ask why ban marijuana in first place itself? And you know what the surprising part is? That wouldn’t be Bullshit, actually that would be a very valid point.
Medical researchers have now proven the world over that marijuana is even less harmful than alcohol. Then what is or was the reason behind banning it? As some point out, marijuana was an intoxicant for the poor in western countries. So, the upper classes felt like those poor souls had no right of being intoxicated and took steps towards banning it. America became more stringent towards it because of the rising hippies culture who were very fond of Marijuana. And it was America only that pressurized India too for banning Marijuana. As a result, Rajiv Gandhi government placed a ban against it in 1985.
But today, when it has been proved that Marijuana has no side effect if taken in moderation, then what’s the point of banning it? Even consumption of alcohol without moderation can cause liver damage, but the government has never banned it. Why Marijuana then? Marijuana is also not known to cause any violent behavior and is much less addictive than nicotine.
Maybe, the answer lies with money. Alcohol and cigarette companies pay huge taxes to government and legalizing marijuana can cause them serious losses, which of course, they wouldn’t want. So, maybe it’s them who are strong arming the government to keep a ban on Marijuana, to keep their cash flowing.
Whatever the reason maybe, Indian college students find their way to Marijuana and that too without the fear of getting caught by the Police. And maybe the illegalization of Marijuana makes it even more fun for youngsters. Evading the law for a cloud of smoke? That sounds like some serious fun. Doesn’t it?
And the party keeps going with a joint, chillam, Bong shot or whatever else you can possibly imagine!
