Editor’s note: This piece was written by the author as a Facebook note in response to the manner in which young celebrities are speaking out to defend the freedom to drink. Actor Imran Khan, it was reported, intends to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Maharashtra government’s decision to raise the legal age limit for alcohol consumption to 25 years.   

I was touched to see some people getting all intense about the young under 25 years of age, not being allowed to drink hard liquor. Have never seen them voice an opinion about anything or being socially aware, before.

So a few questions for them..

Did you know, dahlings, that some under-25’s are incarcerated in brothels?

That some innocent under-25’s are picked up by the police for ‘questioning’ ? That some of these ‘disappear’?

That some academically brilliant under-25’s have to take up jobs to support their families, instead of staying in higher education?

 That some under-25’s are addicts, substance -abusers and are exploited in all kinds of ways because of this?

 That some under-25’s are homeless?

 How come you never came on TV for them?

 You are so aghast at the youngsters being denied access to drink. 

But did you know that some are denied access to food?

And about the raising of age bar of the legally permissible age to drink-I know the young people will find this old-fashioned, typical frumpy whatever. But have to be honest.

 Over the last six years, I turned into an alcoholic and a nicotine addict.

Of course I know that not everyone has this problem.

 Drinking can be in moderation. 

We have the choice etc.

 But what if there is even one susceptible kid among my students, the kids I know and care about, all the young people with so much.. so much potential, so much intelligence? 

And if there’s even one person who is going to be at the risk of alcoholism, I don’t mind if she’s exposed to it when she’s older. If there’s even one person whose health is going to be affected, and if the raised age bar is going to postpone the advent of liver damage by a couple of years, am glad.

 I think of the young people that I care about and how I pray that they get everything they need to realise their potential and that they get all the freedom they need.

But you know what?

 I don’t really mind if they have to wait till they are 25 to taste the goddamned thing.

 Nadi (Dr. Manasee Palshikar) was an MBBS doctor for 10 years when she went back to studying. A course in Women’s Studies at Pune University was followed by learning the art of Screenplay at FTII. Nadi lives in Pune with her husband and daughter.