Climbing higher

Toddy tappers in Bihar have been agitating for "justice" since the total liquor ban in the state came into effect from April 1. Along with the state Opposition, the tappers have alleged that with the ban the government had deprived the Pasi community of its livelihood. On Sunday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar criticised the protests against the ban in the state, saying the Pasis had better things to do than climb palm trees. "How long would the Pasis climb up palm trees to tap toddy," he said. "The Mahadalits are turning towards education - they want to climb much higher in the field of education."