Members of the Tamil Nadu Federation of Anti-Liquor Movements discussed the impact of the TASMAC outlets recording the highest sales in its history during Deepavali 2019, at a State-level meeting held here on Tuesday.
Representatives, predominantly women who have been fighting to ensure that liquor shops are closed and left inaccessible to the public, said that despite their struggle, it was disheartening to see a rise in sales.
“We can only imagine how bad this Deepavali would have been for women with alcoholic husbands,” said National vice-president and presiding member of Swaraj India, Christina Samy who is part of the federation.
Women from different parts of the State shared their tales where members of their own families had been slaves to alcohol and how their decisions impacted the whole family.
Bhagyam, a member of the organisation from Karur, tearfully shared a story where her sister had to work her way to the top and earn a living for her son and daughter as a construction labourer. “When my sister’s daughter got married, my sister shared with us that she had not lived happily for a single day. Her sacrifice was not her own making. This impacted all of us in our family and left us deeply depressed,” she said.
Another member Karuthamma from Theni discussed the life of her son who took liquor every day. “He was drunk but driving one night with my daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Although the couple survived, my little granddaughter died when their two-wheeler met with an accident. Ever since, I have vowed to shut every single shop in the State. Despite such efforts over the years, my son still drinks. It is poison,” she said.
Sister Glory, who runs New Light Centre, a 30-bedded de-addiction centre in Batlagundu, said that her centre had seen a rise in the number of young people who are addicted to different types of drugs.
“We cannot admit children below 18 at the centre but end up keeping them under observation for a couple of days and give them counselling. Addiction cannot be cured but can be controlled and managed. We need to acknowledge this, create awareness and take this discussion forward,” she said.
Movement coordinator and activist C.J. Rajan said that alcohol was the primary reason why domestic violence existed in most households. It also led to the creation of several young widows with little children, he added.
Mr. Rajan said that the members would be taking out a campaign against alcohol from November 25 to December 10.
Ms. Christina Samy said that the organisation had no choice but to continue fighting despite a rise in the number of people drinking.
