Liquor ban will only foster the hooch mafia: Adoor Gopalakrishnan

The liquor ban policy of the state government has been creating waves across Kerala. Some of the celebrities have also slammed the UDF government’s prohibition policy as an absurd step. In a recent interview, National Award winning director Adoor Gopalakrishnan said that the policy would result in the growth of mafia gangs and smugglers. “And it will foster the hooch mafia, who will amass ill-gotten wealth by selling spurious liquor,” said Adoor.Not just Adoor, many other M-Town celebs too have openly voiced their protest against the government’s liquor policy.
Here’s what they said:
Ranjith, director A ban on liquor will never help to contain alcoholism; it’s an Utopian idea. Consuming alcohol is not a crime. I know so many people who have a couple of drinks at bar, but never at home. And their children don’t even know about their fathers’ drinking habit. If the authorities shut down bars where will these people go? They won’t sit silent. They will resort to dangerous options to procure alcohol. In fact, the authorities should implement liquor ban in a better way. They should hold awareness programmes first before coming up with such absurd policies.
Sherrin Varghese, Musician The liquor ban policy is a double-edged sword. A blanket ban on alcohol is not the right way to tackle the excessive use of alcohol. After quaffing a couple of drinks, people may let their hair down. But now, if they don’t get a space, they would definitely use the public space and it would lead to crime and vandalism.
Kani Kusruti, theatre artiste I am not a regular tippler. I firmly believe no one will succeed in banning liquor completely from the state. Alcohol consumption is not an offence or crime. If the government wants to ban liquor from the state, then why permit five star hotels to serve liquor? It is not a fair deal.
Baburaj, actor The liquor ban policy is not practical. The government took such an extreme step without any logical reasoning. If tipplers are not given a space, they will use public space to vent out their frustration. Creating awareness about the ill-effects of alcohol addiction is the need of the hour. If Keralites doesn’t get alcohol here, they would go to Mahe or other neighbouring states. This move is hypocritical.