BANGALORE, India—India’s health minister has condemned the growing pub culture in the country and termed it a hindrance to progress. He has also hinted at formulating a policy plan to address the problem.
Taking part at a conference in the capital city, New Delhi, on Friday, January 31, Minister Anbumani Ramadoss was referring to an incident, that took place at a pub in the southern city of Mangalore, a week ago. Three young women who were consuming liquor at the pub were attacked by members of a Hindu radical group called Sri Ram Sene in the incident, causing a huge outcry among liberals across the country.
“We definitely condemn the incident, where women were attacked, but the pub culture must stop,” Ramadoss was quoted by the media as saying. He blamed the culture for a growing number of youth taking to drinking in the country. He also contended that 40 percent of road accidents are alcohol-related. “These young people not only jeopardize their lives but are also a danger to others on the roads,” he added.
Earlier, the chief minister of Karnataka, the state in which the incident took place, as well as the chief minister of the western state of Rajasthan too had expressed their anguish against pub culture. The Indian media, however, attributed the outrage at the pub to a Taliban-like mindset of Sri Ram Sene (Lord Ram’s Army) members, who vow to protect ‘Hindu culture.’
Meanwhile, both central and state governments have ordered separate probes into the pub attack incident.
Taking part at a conference in the capital city, New Delhi, on Friday, January 31, Minister Anbumani Ramadoss was referring to an incident, that took place at a pub in the southern city of Mangalore, a week ago. Three young women who were consuming liquor at the pub were attacked by members of a Hindu radical group called Sri Ram Sene in the incident, causing a huge outcry among liberals across the country.
“We definitely condemn the incident, where women were attacked, but the pub culture must stop,” Ramadoss was quoted by the media as saying. He blamed the culture for a growing number of youth taking to drinking in the country. He also contended that 40 percent of road accidents are alcohol-related. “These young people not only jeopardize their lives but are also a danger to others on the roads,” he added.
Earlier, the chief minister of Karnataka, the state in which the incident took place, as well as the chief minister of the western state of Rajasthan too had expressed their anguish against pub culture. The Indian media, however, attributed the outrage at the pub to a Taliban-like mindset of Sri Ram Sene (Lord Ram’s Army) members, who vow to protect ‘Hindu culture.’
Meanwhile, both central and state governments have ordered separate probes into the pub attack incident.
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