Vice chairman of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council’s Madya Viruddha Samithi Bishop Joseph Karikkassery has warned that Kerala Madya Viruddha Ekopana Samithi, a combine of people against liquor sales and consumption, will continue to protest until the State government “corrected” its liquor policy.
He was inaugurating a “stand up” protest organised by the samithi before the Ernakulam Town Hall here on Thursday. He said the samithi’s was a “moral” fight and that the protest would not be compromised.
Unique protestAs many as 1,001 people gagged their mouths to join the protest, said publicity convener Charlie Paul. He said that 101 people delivered uninterrupted speeches against liquor during the protest action, which lasted from 11 a. m. to 5 p. m.
Chairman of the ekopana samithi P.K. Shamsudheen demanded that the government come out with a white paper on liquor policy and that it should bring out a roadmap for its action to get Kerala rid of liquor over the next 10 years. T.J. Antony of the samithi and KCBC deputy secretary Varghese Vallikkat were among those who addressed the protesters.