Politicians Distribute Liquor to Get Votes: Women’s Group in Surat
As Gujarat gears up for elections, The Quint travelled to Vaheval village in Surat district to talk to a group of women who have been fighting against the sale of illegal liquor.
Despite their campaign, these women – who are part of a sakhi mandal (group of companions) – say that illegal liquor sale is rampant in their villages, and is ruining their families.
Watch the Facebook live below:
Also Read: Will GST Affect Gujarat Elections? We Ask Surat's Textile Traders
Meena Patel, one of the members, said that though their campaign was popular when it started in 2009, it had to shut down in a year because nobody supported them.
Giving an overview of the situation in the village, she said:
There's a liquor shop just 10 houses away. You can find more than 25 liquor shops in this village.
She said the liquor trade was the complicity of the police as well as politicians. This issue, she said, arises only during the election season.
Instead of cracking down on this trade, the police takes bribes... What development will happen in this village? The candidates who stand up for elections provide the bottles themselves. A person can win election in this area only if he or she provides the bottles.Meena Patel
The politicians only care about the vote, she said.
Notably, alcohol prohibition has been in force in Gujarat ever since its inception in 1960, under the Bombay Prohibition Act 1949. A revamped Gujarat Prohibition (Amendment) Act came into effect in March 2017, prescribing for more stringent control on manufacture, sale, and consumption of liquor, and stipulating a jail term of up to 10 years.
Also Read: Voices of Gujarat: ‘Will Give Cong a Chance', ‘Kahaan Hai Vikas?'
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
-
Navigating Friction And Energy Realities: An Analysis Of Marco Rubio's October Visit To India
Occurring at a critical juncture marked by stalled trade negotiations and escalating geopolitical pressures over global energy supplies, the visit offers a profound window into modern US-India relations.
-
India Exports Capital. Why Not Export Trusteeship?
The big question, then, is whether India can build an institution that global borrowers, investors, banks, and lawyers can trust, even without an Indian connection.
-
France's Economy & Politics Are In Crisis | The Reason Why
Let's look at how the French economy and politics evolved under Nicolas Sarkozy, Franois Hollande and Emmanuel Macron.
-
You May Inherit The Business. You Must Earn Its Credibility.
Succession tests the founder's ability to share authority as much as it tests the next generation's readiness to assume it.
-
Signing Deals Is One Thing; Making Them Work Is Another | The Week In Whys
Sometimes, things don't turn out as planned. Indian companies have lost some bids to rivals, some projects won't produce until 2030.
-
FOMC Wall, PERM Suspension, Hospital Stocks | Talking Points This Week
A PERM suspension would directly affect green-card sponsorship rather than H-1B visas, so the near-term earnings impact could remain relatively limited. The key question is whether this marks a new phase in US scrutiny of Indian IT.
-
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once: Dalal Street's Week To Forget | Joining The Dots
Visa curbs, a Starlink spat and cancer drug caps: what connects this week's shocks for Indian markets
-
India Is Going Abroad For Critical Minerals. But It May Take Years To Pay Off | The Reason Why
Although India's steps are in the right direction, they remain modest compared with India's growing dependence.
-
When Everyone Has AI, What Gives You An Edge?
India's young workforce is entering an uncertain world of work where powerful AI tools are becoming widely accessible. The advantage will belong to those who combine deep expertise with digital fluency, and the distinctly human capabilities that technology cannot manufacture.
-
Wrong Labels, High Pesticide Residues Holding Back Agri Exports | The Reason Why
India needs stronger domestic food-safety and labelling standards, with best practices becoming part of everyday business for farmers, traders and food companies.
