TIMES CAMPAIGN: It's time to say no to irrational, outdated laws

Actor Imran Khan's plan to file a public interest litigation (PIL) against the Maharashtra government for raising the legal drinking age to 25 has struck a chord with many youngsters. "I think at the age of 21 a person is grown up enough to handle alcohol. If my parents don't have a problem with me going out to drink, why should some politician?" said 22-year-old entrepreneur Apeksha Harihar to TOI."Theresponsibility and maturity required for drinking comes much before the age of25 — or it doesn't come even when you're well past that age," agreedstudent Swarnim Khare, 23.Interestingly, a similar law that makes itillegal to drink below the age of 25 years also applies in Delhi, though it isobserved more in the breach than in practice. Indeed, it would be reasonable toassume that if the law was actually applied strictly in the capital, excisecollections from bars, pubs and restaurants would take a hit.TOIdoes not in any way advocate drinking. But this is not about the right to drink,it is about the absurdity of archaic laws governing a country that aspires to bean infotech superpower in the 21st century. It is about an anomalous situationwherein decision-makers who are well into middle age — if not past normalretirement age — seek to preserve a status quo which is completely out ofsync with the aspirations and beliefs of a nation where 60% of the population isbelow 25. Indeed, this is only the first in a series of Times campaigns that weplan to run against irrational and outdated laws.We can vote anddrive at 18, and marry at 18 or 21. So to say that people are "not mature" tillthey are 25 is clearly ridiculous. Any law that's built around this notion isplain stupid, and must go.Off the record, government officials say,"Oh, but we never enforce it." If it isn't enforced, then why persist with thisfarce? Keeping it on the statute books leads to harassment and corruption. Itencourages young people to develop a sceptical attitude towards the law, and iteffectively turns the people charged with enforcing the law into hypocrites.Surely, these are not very desirable outcomes.At a time when theworld is acknowledging the great promise of India's youth, our old and venalpoliticians continue to flex their muscles in the only way they seem capable of— through oppressive laws that do nothing but pave the way for evengreater corruption and harassment. Besides, what gives an MP or an MLA who hurlschairs and microphones and abuses in Parliament/assembly — or a ministerwho loots the country — the right to moralize?It's timehonest, responsible, hard-working and educated young adults said "NO" to theseself-serving politicians and their self-serving laws. It's time to stand up tothe arbitrary and autocratic exercise of power. This is about telling the netaclass, "It's My Life. If You Can't Help, At Least Don't Hinder."Youcan join the campaign by logging on to www.timesofindia.com, or by giving amissed call to the toll-free number 08030088401, or by sending 'agree' as an SMSto 58888. It's your life, your choice. And let the netas know that —contrary to what they apparently believe — you do have a mind of yourown.(Raise your voice. Join the Times campaign against drinking age limit of 25)