Mangaluru: Bengre, a narrow coastal strip nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Phalguni river in Mangaluru, has quietly upheld a rare social commitment for nearly three decades — a complete, community-enforced ban on the sale of liquor. Initiated in 1994, the self-imposed prohibition continues to this day, standing as a powerful example of grassroots social reform driven largely by the resolve of women from the fishing community.
Bengre comprises several habitations, including Thota Bengre, Kasba Bengre, Kudroli Bengre and Bokkapatna Bengre, with Thota Bengre alone accounting for over 500 households. The village is predominantly inhabited by members of the Mogaveera and Kharvi fishing communities, whose livelihoods depend almost entirely on the sea.
Women-led appeal sparked the movement
The origins of the liquor ban can be traced back to the early 1990s, when women from the Mogaveera and Kharvi communities approached community leaders with serious concerns about alcoholism among men in the village. Excessive drinking, they said, had led to rising domestic violence, financial distress and social instability in many households.
The women urged community elders to take decisive action, at least by banning the sale of liquor within the village limits, as men of all age groups had fallen into alcohol addiction. Their appeal resonated strongly with the leadership of the Bengre Mahajana Sabha, a prominent community body representing local residents.
1994 pledge marked turning point
Dhananjaya Puthran Bengre, former president of the Bengre Mahajana Sabha and a senior member of the fishing community, recalled that a formal pledge against liquor sale was taken in 1994.
“I was the president of the Bengre Mahajana Sabha when we took this pledge. It was done in the presence of S K Amin, former MLA of Udupi, at the Shri Mahavishnu Sheshashayana Bhajana Mandira,” he said.
At that time, Bengre had five government-authorised liquor outlets, including country liquor and toddy shops. In addition, some residents were selling beer illegally within the village. Convincing legally operating shop owners to shut down their businesses was not easy, Bengre admitted, but the community remained firm.
Collective pressure shut down liquor shops
To ensure consensus, the Bengre Mahajana Sabha convened meetings with liquor and toddy shop operators, explaining the harmful social consequences of alcohol abuse. Community leaders, supported strongly by women, emphasised that the decision was not punitive but aimed at safeguarding families and the future of the village.
Through sustained dialogue, collective pressure and social monitoring, all five legal liquor and toddy shops eventually shut down. The ban extended across Thota Bengre, Kasba Bengre, Kudroli Bengre and Bokkapatna Bengre, and no new liquor outlets were allowed to open.
“Due to our collective resolve, even today the ban on the sale of liquor continues in our village,” Bengre said, adding that community vigilance played a crucial role in sustaining the decision over the years.
Education and social change after prohibition
Residents say the impact of the liquor ban has been profound and far-reaching. With alcohol no longer draining household incomes, families were able to prioritise education and well-being.
“In Bengre, all families are completely dependent on fishing. With liquor gone, the education level in our village has improved significantly,” said a woman from the fishing community in Thota Bengre. “The literacy rate here is now above 95%, and we even have double graduates in our village.”
Villagers note that reduced alcoholism has also led to better family harmony, improved savings, and greater participation of women in community decision-making.
Tobacco sales also discouraged
Building on the success of the liquor ban, villagers have also taken a strong stand against tobacco consumption. Most local shops in Thota Bengre do not sell tobacco products, and community-imposed fines are levied on those found violating the norm.
“We are imposing fines on the sale of tobacco products,” residents said, explaining that the goal is to protect the health of younger generations and reduce addiction-related problems.
A rare model of community enforcement
Unlike government-imposed prohibition, Bengre’s ban relies entirely on community enforcement. There is no formal legislation restricting liquor sales in the area, but social consensus and collective accountability have ensured compliance for 30 years.
Community elders say the continued success of the initiative lies in unity, the moral authority of women, and the shared understanding that social well-being outweighs short-term economic gain.
Conclusion
As urbanisation and substance abuse challenges grow across coastal Karnataka, Bengre’s three-decade-long stand against liquor serves as a striking example of how sustained community action can bring lasting social change. Rooted in the voices of women and upheld by collective discipline, the village’s experience underscores the power of local leadership in addressing deeply entrenched social issues — without relying solely on external enforcement.