Imran Khan set to file PIL against drinking age limit

Mumbai, Jun 15: Looks like the state government's decision of raising the drinking age bar to 25 years has not gone down well with the glitterati. Bollywood actor Imran Khan, the famous celebrity who wants to take up the matter legally intends to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on this regard.

Another Bollywood star who had expressed his concerns over the government decision was Amitabh Bachchan who tweeted his irk that read, "On drinking age limit increased to 25 ! Err .. old and mature enough to vote for the country, or join army ..and fight for the nation...but not old and mature enough to be told when you are allowed to drink ???? Strange ?!!!! (sic) ."

Bachchan also added, "At 23, Sid Mallya is GM & owner of the 3rd largest liquor company in the world. But, guess what? It's illegal for him to drink."

Imran, however plans to take the legal recourse to show his opposition on the age limit and was quoted as saying, "I am really disturbed by the state's perception that the youth of today are a bunch of idiots. I am working with my legal team and plan to draft a petition." Imran said that he was voicing the opinion of the youth who thinks the regulation as "regressive."

Khan minced no words in slamming the government decision and said, "When one gets the right to vote at 18 and elect a government and even marry and have children at the age 21, to ban drinking for people below the age of 25 is ridiculous.'' He also made it a point to clarify that this was in no way an attempt to endorse drinking and stated, "I feel everyone has the right to choose and that is the reason why I have decided to take this step. I don't think it should be imposed upon the youth. This kind of regulation is bound to turn the youth into outlaws."

With the decision raising some ruckus among youth both in online and offline platforms, Imran in an attempt to represent them said, "The issue is a raging debate on all social networking sites and most of the youth feel that it is unfair. Its completely unfair to expect that one has to wait till one is 25 to exercise the freedom of choice regarding one's lifestyle."

In a country with 60% of the population below 25, the youth in India is not as irresponsible as the older populace make them out to be, he stated adding, "They cannot be taken for granted."

OneIndia News