Bengaluru Liquor Ban for 48 Hours: Alcohol Sales Halted in 8 Areas Amid Protest Security

Bengaluru will witness a 48-hour suspension of alcohol sales in select parts of the city as authorities brace for large protest gatherings. The order, issued by Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, will be in effect from 6 am on March 24 until 10 pm on March 25, aiming to maintain law and order during the demonstrations.

The restriction applies to all licensed establishments selling alcohol, including liquor shops, bars, and restaurants, within the notified police station limits. Officials have clarified that this is a temporary preventive measure to reduce the risk of disturbances as crowds gather across central Bengaluru.

The decision comes in response to protest calls by two organisations over reservation-related demands. The Karnataka Reservation Protection Federation is set to hold a major gathering at Freedom Park on March 24. This will be followed by another protest on March 25 by the Karnataka State Right-Handed Castes Federation, which is also pushing for implementation of reservation quotas.

Police anticipate heavy footfall across both days, especially in central areas. Authorities believe restricting alcohol access will help prevent potential clashes, unruly behaviour, or property damage during the gatherings.

Areas and Timings of the Ban

The dry period will run continuously from the morning of March 24 to the night of March 25. The restriction is limited to eight police station jurisdictions: Upparpet, City Market, Cottonpet, Kalasipalyam, Chamarajpet, Sheshadripuram, High Grounds, and Halasur Gate.

Within these areas, all forms of commercial alcohol sales must stop for the entire duration, affecting both daytime and evening business operations.

Security Measures and Public Advisory

Security deployment will be intensified around protest hotspots, particularly near Freedom Park. Police personnel will closely monitor crowd movement and intervene if necessary to maintain peace.

Authorities have urged residents and business owners to cooperate, warning that alcohol consumption could increase the chances of miscreants exploiting the situation. Officials emphasised that the move is purely preventive and not aimed at disrupting lawful protests.

Not the First Such Restriction

Similar short-term liquor bans have been imposed earlier during large public events in Bengaluru, including the Huskur Madduramma Jatra and Dharmaraya Swamy Jatra Mahotsava. In those cases, restrictions were limited to specific police station areas for brief periods to manage crowds.

Officials say such targeted measures have become a standard approach to ensure public safety during major gatherings. By enforcing the current 48-hour ban in key zones, authorities aim to ensure that the protests proceed peacefully while minimising disruption in the rest of the city.