A tourist drinking beer at a restaurant in Kovalam in south Kerala on September 9, 2014 (Agence France-Presse photo)
Kerala's no-liquor policy has been given a thumbs up by the High Court, which has said that it is in line with the Indian Constitution.
"Tourism cannot be the only motive of any policy, welfare and health of people is equally important," the court said, adding that "the promotion of tourism cannot translate into promotion of liquor."
In August last year, the state government said that alcohol would be served only in five-star hotels and hundreds of bars would be shut down in a move towards total prohibition to deal with Kerala's drink problem.
Facing criticism, the government said in December that other hotels and bars can also sell alcohol, but only wine and beer.
The bars had challenged the new policy, saying it would mean that thousands would lose their jobs, and cited a similar case in Maharashtra, where dance bars were shut down.
"The consumption of alcohol is not the same as dancers dancing inside the bar," said the court today.
The court today cited Article 47, which says "the state shall endeavour to bring about prohibition... except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health."