The ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and its government has received a shot in the arm with the Sivagiri Dharma Sanghom Trust declaring its full support for the government’s tough liquor policy.
Trust general secretary Swami Rithambarananda told the convention held at the Sivagiri Madhom on Sunday to mark the 87th Samadhi day of Sree Narayana Guru that the decision would have the support of everyone who loved Guru as it had the interests of the future generation as its inspiration. Nobody would wish to turn away from Guru’s teachings, he pointed out.
Later, talking to reporters, he reiterated the Trust’s stand coming down sharply on the stand taken by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan against the new liquor policy. “There is no question of supporting a situation of easy liquor availability and consumption regardless of whether the SNDP Yogam or anyone else takes such a stand,” he said.
Swami Rithambarananda said the message of abstinence was at the very core of Guru’s teachings. His call was to eschew production and consumption of liquor. Mr. Natesan’s opposition to the liquor policy was personal, the Swami, who had earlier praised Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran’s initiative in the matter, said.
Earlier, chairing the Samadhi observances, Mr. Sudheeran said the followers of Sree Naryana Guru had the duty to support the new liquor policy. The government’s attempt was to implement things that Guru said years ago. This was something that any modern society could be proud of.
Addressing the convention, Excise Minister K. Babu said though there were some practical developments, there was no question of the government going back on the new liquor policy.
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