Karnataka’s latest push to curb underage drinking has become the latest talking point across Bengaluru’s pub circuit. Following the State’s Minister of Home Affairs, Priyank Kharge’s announcement that pubs, bars and breweries will have to strictly enforce a “No ID, no entry” policy, reactions have ranged from support for stricter checks to questions about whether the move changes anything on the ground. Reactions have been mixed across the state. Some have welcomed the government’s zero-tolerance stance, particularly amid concerns about rising alcohol consumption among teenagers. Others, however, question whether the announcement changes anything substantially. Several social media users pointed out that checking IDs has always been a legal requirement and that most popular pubs already ask for age proof when there is doubt. For them, the issue is not the absence of rules but inconsistent enforcement.A recent study covering 4,093 students in Bengaluru, has raised serious concerns:1 in 3 adolescents are at risk of health issues due to alcohol or tobacco use.33% reported alcohol use.18% reported tobacco addiction. Seemant Kumar Singh, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru tells Bangalore Times, “We have issued directions to all police stations to identify pubs, bars and other establishments serving liquor in their jurisdiction and issue notices on compliance with provisions related to underage drinking under the Act. These establishments will be required to verify IDs whenever there is any suspicion about a person’s age and display notices on the premises. In cases where fake IDs are used, appropriate action will be taken if detected later, as entry points are monitored through CCTV cameras. Most pubs and bars already have CCTV cameras at their entrances, and we will ensure stricter enforcement of these measures.” ‘Checks have been a standard practice for years’ Age verification is already part of standard operating procedure at many pubs. “We ask for ID cards whenever we suspect a person may be underage, based on factors such as their appearance body language or behaviour,” says Nitin, Corporate General Manager at a restobar. “If someone arrives without an ID but is accompanied by an adult, our managers and floor staff closely monitor the table to ensure alcohol is not served to or consumed by them,” he says, adding that establishments are often required to make judgment calls, especially when younger-looking patrons arrive in large groups. “In rare cases, where we suspect a fake ID, our managers use verification applications to cross-check documents such as Aadhaar cards or other proof of age documents. If the identity cannot be verified, we do not allow the individual to enter or dine,” he adds.‘We ask for and crosscheck other identification if we think the ID is fake’ “The legal drinking age in Karnataka has been 21 for a long time, and most pubs and bars have been complying with the rule,” says Jagadish HS, manager at a restobar in JP Nagar. “With the government now stepping up enforcement, we will be advising hostesses and reception staff to verify IDs more diligently, especially in the case of large groups. If we suspect that a fake ID is being used, we will ask patrons to verify their identity through authorised government platforms such as DigiLocker,” he says.Here’s how the government is cracking down on underage drinking:The government has directed all pubs, bars, breweries, clubs, lounges, restaurants and other liquor-serving establishments to adopt stricter age-verification measures. Key directives include: -No valid ID, no entry -Mandatory government-issued age proof -Strict action against establishments serving minors -Accountability for owners, managers and licence holders -Functional CCTV cameras at entry points with footage preserved -Coordination between police, educational institutions, RWAs and citizen groups
