Kerala Catholic Bishops Criticize Liquor Outlet Surge in Statewide Circular

Overview

• The KCBC Temperance Commission had its circular read across 32 dioceses on March 8, urging stronger action on addiction, and no immediate government response was reported.
• The circular cites over 1,000 bars, 337 liquor outlets and 5,071 toddy shops now operating, compared with 29 bars reported in 2016.
• It alleges authorities widened licensing after arguing that restricted alcohol access was driving narcotics use.
• The bishops warn that MDMA and hybrid cannabis are spreading and say government assessments identify about 1,400 schools as drug hotspots.
• The commission accuses the Excise, Police, Forest and Revenue departments of taking routine steps with little impact and marked Anti-Liquor and Anti-Drug Day with programmes across churches.