Thiruvananthapuram: Thamarassery Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil on Friday supported total prohibition saying peace in families was more important than development of tourism sector. He was inaugurating anti-narcotic day jointly organised by Kerala Catholic Bishops Council’s Anti-Liquor Committee and Kerala Madya Virudha Ekopana Samithi.
The Bishop said that he was not in favour of LDF policy of temperance and wanted the government to initiate steps for reducing the availability of liquor. This would pave the way for implementation of total prohibition in the state. “States like Tamil Nadu and Bihar have announced total liquor ban. Kerala government should also announce a similar policy. People are dying because of heavy consumption of alcohol and this was the state’s biggest bane,” the Bishop said.
Justice P.K Shamsudeen presided over the function. KCBC deputy secretary Dr. Varghese Vallikkatt delivered the anti-drug message.
Meanwhile, Fr T J Antony secretary of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council Temperance Commission said they would support any move that brought down liquor consumption in the state. “We will welcome steps to reduce alcohol consumption whether it is through prohibition or abstinence,” he said and added that the previous government's phased prohibition policy had brought down liquor consumption in the state.
He said the Temperance Commission was waiting for the LDF Government to come out with its detailed plan regarding abstinence. “Let them bring more clarity on their plans. We will respond accordingly,” Fr Antony said.
