Tamil Nadu Minister Duraimurugan sparked controversy on Saturday with remarks suggesting that the lack of potency in state-run TASMAC liquor stores drives people to consume illicit liquor like arrack. He compared government-sold liquor to soft drinks for daily laborers, implying it lacks the desired strength.
Duraimurugan's comments emerged during discussions in the state Assembly following a bill introduced by Minister for Prohibition and Excise S Muthusamy to strengthen the Prohibition Act. This bill includes stringent penalties, such as up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fines up to Rs 10 lakh, in response to the tragic Kallakurichi hooch incident, which claimed 65 lives.
During the debate, PMK MLA GK Mani advocated for total prohibition in Tamil Nadu, but Muthusamy countered, stating the state is not currently suitable for such a measure. Duraimurugan intervened, asserting that laborers engaged in strenuous work rely on liquor to alleviate fatigue. He criticized government-sold liquor for not meeting their needs, thereby pushing some to opt for illicit alternatives like arrack.
The AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan criticized Duraimurugan's remarks, blaming the DMK government's incompetence for the hooch tragedy deaths and accusing them of shielding their leader, MK Stalin. AIADMK, under Edappadi K Palaniswami's leadership, previously staged a hunger strike over the Kallakurichi incident.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss condemned Duraimurugan and Muthusamy's statements, labeling them as reflective of the government's failure. He criticized the proliferation of spurious liquor despite the presence of thousands of liquor shops and called for stricter police measures to prevent the influx of alcohol from neighboring states.
Ramadoss also denounced the government's contradictory stance of blaming laborers while benefiting from liquor sales through state-run outlets, some of which are reportedly linked to influential figures within the ruling administration.
The issue underscores ongoing debates and criticisms surrounding alcohol policies and enforcement in Tamil Nadu, highlighting divergent perspectives on prohibition, public health, and governance responsibilities.
