Thiruvananthapuram, 08 March (H.S.): The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has strongly criticised the Kerala government over what it described as the rapid expansion of liquor outlets and the growing threat of alcohol and drug abuse in the State. In a circular issued to churches across Kerala, the council called for a government with the courage and commitment to take firm action against the spread of alcohol and narcotic substances.

The circular was read out during Holy Mass in churches on Sunday, drawing attention to the social consequences of increasing availability of liquor and other intoxicating substances in the State. According to the KCBC, the situation has worsened significantly during the tenure of the second Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.

The council alleged that Kerala has witnessed a “flood of liquor outlets” in recent years. It pointed out that in 2016 there were only 29 bars operating in the State, whereas the number has now crossed a thousand. The circular accused the government of granting bar licences liberally and claimed that the present administration would be remembered in history for allowing such widespread expansion of liquor establishments.

The KCBC also expressed concern that alcohol and other narcotic substances have increasingly entered households, posing a serious threat to families and young people. It warned that the social fabric of Kerala is under strain due to the growing influence of substance abuse.

The council criticised the authorities responsible for controlling the menace, alleging that instead of curbing the spread of alcohol and drugs, they have allowed the situation to worsen. The circular further accused the government machinery of responding to the issue with indifference, conducting what it described as “token meetings” rather than implementing effective policies.

The KCBC reiterated that a strong and morally courageous governance system is required to address the issue of addiction in the State. It emphasised that preventing the spread of liquor and drugs should be treated as a major public policy priority.

The church body has been consistently vocal on the issue of alcohol regulation. Earlier, the KCBC’s temperance committee had also criticised the government’s decision to extend the operating hours of bars and liquor outlets, arguing that such policies would further aggravate the problem of addiction.

With the circular now read out in churches across Kerala, the issue is expected to trigger fresh debate on the State’s liquor policy and the broader challenge of tackling substance abuse.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman