Charges against AISA activists in Garhwal for Anti-Liquor Protests

Since the day the Supreme Court ordered that liquor shops be shifted at least 500 metres away from highways, a state-wide anti-liquor movement has intensified in Uttarakhand. For a long time, women in Uttarakhand have been conducting a movement against state-encouraged alcoholism. However, instead from responding to the demands of women, the successive Congress and BJP governments in Uttarakhand, have only ensured that liquor shops are set up even in those remote areas where even water supply is yet to be properly ensured. Post the Supreme Court order, the anti-liquor movement has gained momentum to the effect that liquor distribution is becoming increasingly difficult. Unfortunately, the BJP government in the state, far from ensuring compliance with this directive has instead chosen to stand with liquor manufacturers and help them by converting national highways to state roads and state highways to district roads. In several places liquor shops are being shifted from highways to residential areas under the protection of BJP government and its MLAs. Units of CPI (ML) have been active participants in several of the anti-liquor protests.

It is in this series of protests that AISA unit of Srinagar (Garhwal) participated in the anti-liquor protest of 12 June. When the activists protested against forcible opening of liquor shops, cases were filed against 23 people including AISA leaders Shivani Pandey and Atul Sati. Earlier too the BJP government had filed several cases against the protestors. To protest against this silencing of protestors, CPI (ML) submitted a memorandum addressed to the state CM in Karnaprayag and Lalkuan demanding immediate withdrawal of cases. It was also mentioned in the memorandum that the actions of the government have clearly revealed its proximity and support to the liquor manufacturers and sellers. The government has already issued an order to appoint 2 police officers to protect liquor shops and some of the MLAs of the party are also trying to get shops for their own party activists. The BJP which was earlier trying to pose itself as anti-liquor has exposed itself through its actions.