Women Convention Opposed Liquor in Jharkhand

31 March, Hazaribag: NBJK and partner organizations have called SHG members, elected women representatives and others to join a convention to oppose liquor collectively. The program was inaugurated by Mrs. Sarojini Devi (Pramukh, Sadar block), Mrs. Anushree Devi (Pramukh, Churchu block), Mrs. Agnesia S. Purty (Member, District Council), Mrs. Sharmili Ekka (In-charge, Women Police Station, Hazaribag) and Ms. Veena Sethi (Advocate). Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has welcomed all and defined liquor as the root cause of numerous problem. He supported the demand from village women of Jharkhand that the government must ban liquor like in Bihar where such ban will be imposed from very next day. Mr. Satish Girija has suggested prohibiting foreign liquor firstly and for a phase wise ban on country/homemade liquor with help of women representatives elected for more than 50% seats of PRIs.

Mrs. Sarojini Devi has branded liquor as most anti-women and demanded for a strict ban over its production and sell in the state.  The very department of excise & prohibition shows us a paradoxical system, she said. Mrs. Anushree Devi has blamed liquor for destroying people’s life and wealth in villages and insisted for the ban to save them. Mrs. Agnesia S. Purty has raised the issues of awareness, education and livelihood for a successful campaign against liquor. Mrs. Renu Devi (Mukhiya, Singhani panchayat) has supported the ban and appealed for cooperation from male members of each family to this anti-liquor drive. Mr. Mahendra Ram (Mukhiya, Silwar panchayat) has wished to make his panchayat free from liquor and regretted for less women in assembly/parliament as impedimental for delay in action desired against liquor. Mr. Jeevlal Mahto (ex-Pramukh, Sadar block) was concerned about diminishing social support for such battle due to growing number of drinkers.

Mr. Nandlal Saw (ex-Mukhiya, Oriya panchayat) has condemned the trend of liquor intake during religious functions even and supported the women. Mrs. Yashoda Devi (ex-Mukhiya, Karbaikala panchayat) has appealed all to oust this social vice while Mrs. Sharda Devi (Ward Member, Singhani panchayat) was for legal as well as social restrictions. Mrs. Sharmili Ekka has accused liquor for most of the crimes against women and Mrs. Veena Sethi appreciated this combined initiative for a greater cause. Also Mr. Filman Bakhla (Lok Prerna Kendra), Mr. Awdhesh Chandra Pandey (Chhotanagpur Vikas Utprerna Kendra) and Dr. Vishwanath Azad (SHARK) have addressed the convention against liquor participated by around 200 women.