Kerala alcohol avoidance: ‘No liquor or meat on Chathayam, Samadhi days’

Kottayam: Almost 750 families in the Kumarakom South branch of the SNDP Union have decided to give up booze, fish and meat from Chathayam to the samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru.

The union, in a letter to all families has demanded that they abjure liquor, fish and meat in their houses from September 8 to the 21st.

Secretary of the Kumarakom South branch, Vijayappan said the members had extended full support to the new initiative.

“The members say that they will abide by the decision of the union. We haven’t received any instructions from anywhere. This will be part of our anti-liquor campaign”, Vijayappan added.

The Kumarakom South branch had on August 27 resolved to abstain from drinking.

The meeting was attended by almost 500 members.

“We received good response from those who participated. Most of members were convinced of the need to avoid liquor”, Vijayappan added.

The second stage of the awareness programme will be held October 18.

The first demand of Kumarakom South branch was that its members abstain from serving liquor during celebrations, especially weddings.

The decision was taken considering the increasing instances of violence reported after these parties.

The decision was first taken by the branch on Sept 27, 2013.