Varanasi's Liquor Business: A Contradiction in Women's Participation
In the historic city of Varanasi, a striking paradox has emerged in the liquor retail sector. While women own a significant portion of the business, they often face unofficial barriers when attempting to purchase alcohol themselves. This situation highlights a disconnect between ownership rights and consumer access in one of Uttar Pradesh's key districts.
Women Hold Substantial Share of Liquor Licenses
According to official excise department records for the 2026-27 financial year, women have been granted a remarkable 234 out of 677 retail liquor shop licenses in Varanasi district. This represents 34.56% of all licenses, indicating substantial female entrepreneurship in an industry traditionally dominated by men. The data reveals that women are not just peripheral players but major stakeholders in Varanasi's liquor trade.
Widespread Practice of Restricting Women Buyers
Despite this significant ownership presence, numerous liquor shops across Kashi maintain policies that explicitly prohibit women from purchasing alcohol. These restrictions extend to individuals in uniform as well, creating a dual barrier that contradicts official regulations. The excise department's rules clearly state that only those below 21 years of age are restricted from buying liquor, making these shop-level bans completely unauthorized.
In the Kandwa Chitaipur area, a particularly telling example exists where a liquor vend operates under a woman's license, yet prominently displays a notice stating: "Women and people in uniform will not be sold liquor." This four-point notice board, painted directly on the shop's wall, includes the owner's name and license number at the main counter, creating a visible contradiction between ownership and access.
Official Stance Versus Ground Reality
District Excise Officer Kamal Kumar Shukla clarified the department's position, stating unequivocally: "Except for those below 21 years of age, anyone can buy liquor from a licensed shop." However, Shukla acknowledged that he was unaware of the specific instructions against selling liquor to women displayed at various retail vends. This admission suggests a potential enforcement gap between official policy and practical implementation.
When attempts were made to contact the female licensee of the Kandwa Chitaipur shop, the salesman refused to provide her contact information despite repeated requests. He explained that the restrictive instructions had been posted by the shop's operator, not necessarily the owner, and indicated that similar policies could be found at other establishments throughout the district.
Financial Context of Varanasi's Liquor Trade
The excise department's revenue figures provide important context for understanding the scale of Varanasi's liquor business. In the 2025-26 financial year, the department generated Rs 1,496 crore in revenue through substantial sales volumes: 20,725,218 liters of country liquor, 13,252,174 bottles of foreign liquor, and 33,105,396 beer cans.
Compared to the previous year (2024-25), the department registered impressive growth across categories: an 18.34% increase in revenue from foreign liquor, a 7.21% increase from country liquor, and a 0.17% increase from beer sales. These figures demonstrate the economic significance of the liquor trade in Varanasi and underscore why women's participation as both business owners and consumers matters.
The Broader Implications
This situation raises important questions about gender equality in business ownership versus consumer rights. While women have made significant inroads as entrepreneurs in Varanasi's liquor sector, they continue to face discriminatory practices when attempting to exercise their rights as consumers. The discrepancy between official excise department regulations and shop-level implementation suggests a need for better monitoring and enforcement.
The persistence of these unauthorized restrictions, even at establishments owned by women themselves, indicates complex social dynamics that extend beyond mere regulatory compliance. As Varanasi continues to modernize while preserving its cultural heritage, this paradox in the liquor business serves as a microcosm of broader societal tensions between tradition and progress, ownership and access, regulation and practice.
