If one can vote at 18, why can’t they drink?

Jun 25, 2011 - Saumya Bhatia |

The Asian Age

Actor Imran Khan walked in at the Women’s Press Club on Thursday afternoon hoping to chat with women journos about his Facebook page Power to Youth, but to his surprise he started facing a barrage of questions regarding his intention to file PIL against Maharashtra government’s new rule against drinking. When asked why did he

choose Women’s Press Club as the venue for his press conference, Imran answered cheekily, “Hey, I thought I will interact with all the women. What are the men doing here at the club? I am actually disappointed to see a lot of men as well.”
Breaking into laughter, Imran eagerly flashed his iPad, which broadcast the “Power to Youth” page on Facebook and shutterbugs raced to catch the moment. Imran clearly asserted that he is not promoting alcohol amongst youth. Imran said, “I am not supportive of drinking alcohol nor do I endorse it, but my question is when government considers the youth an adult at 18, gives them the right to choose the government, join the army, how can it decide for them what they should be drinking? We live in a democracy and the government should give us (youth) the right to choose what we want to drink. How can it say that a youngster is not mature enough to choose what he wants to drink? Let people be adults, you can’t have double standards.”
Interestingly, Imran also shared that he had his first drink when he was 18 with the consent of his parents.
He admitted that he recently got to know that Delhi also has the 25 years age limit for drinking.
When asked why isn’t he supporting the Lokpal Bill or the ban on alcohol, Imran replied, “You guys would never be happy with whatever issue I take up. There are many able people supporting the Lokpal bill, but there’s nobody talking about this issue which affects the youth. Whichever cause I feel close to I will take it up. I can’t ask for a ban on alcohol as my life would be in danger. If the government feels it’s threatening, they should ban it completely.”
Talking about Power of Youth, Imran said he will not be regulating the page. “I will oversee discussions and share my views with youngsters, but I will not be the regulator of the page. I would appreciate if many youngsters join the page and share their views on this matter.”

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