Kerala Church to protest new liquor policy

The re–opening of 1610 of the 2000–odd toddy shops closed down by the previous government led by A.K Antony has caused wide–spread protests by the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), who organised a fast last week in Kochi to express its grief over the government's liquor policy.

“We will make the government lose its sleep if it continues with its anti–people liquor policy,” warned Thiruvanthapuram Archbishop Susaipakiam M.

“The new policy may reduce the cut–off distance to 200 meters. We suspect that certain multinational companies are behind this move. These companies are eyeing the women and child populations of India who do not drink liquor. If they also can be made to drink, huge profits can be made,” added the Archbishop.

The Archbishop said many prominent people from various walks of life would join the Church leaders on Wednesday in the protest fast. “It would be the first step in our fight against the wrong policies of the Left government on liquor,” he said.

He alleged that the state government wants to please liquor barons who support political parties.

Over the past decade, the council, he said, has spoken to various governments about the need for a liquor ban and for spreading awareness against the consumption of alcohol, but in vain.

The council demands reinstatement of the revoked sections in the Panchayati Raj–Nagarpalika Acts dealing with prohibition. Each panchayat should be given the right to decide if it needs a toddy shop within its limits.

Kerala has one of the highest per capita consumption of liquor in the country.