My views on prohibition of alcohol in Kerala

Thanks The Hindu for publishing one more letter. Here is the published letter on The Hindu website. 

Here is the letter: 

Alcoholism is a major cause for concern as it gives rise to many problems. However, whether prohibition is the solution is debatable. First, prohibition funds crime as demand for alcohol is met by criminals. Second, many drinkers switch to drugs such as opium and cocaine. Prohibition will also lead to a decrease in tax revenue.

Prohibition was a failure in the U.S. when it was tried from 1920 to 1933. Gujarat has seen rampant growth in the black market for alcohol after prohibition was enforced in 2009. A better solution would be to organise awareness programmes to illustrate the negative impact of alcoholism and incentivise NGOs and local bodies to work for the betterment of alcohol-addicts and their families.

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On Katju's statement: My letter published in The Hindu

Thanks The Hindu for publishing my letter.

They edited it a bit. Here is the complete letter I sent:

If true, former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju’s statement shows that the ‘separation of powers principle’ enshrined in the Constitution can be overcome by petty interests within a ruling dispensation (July 22). The debate over evolving a fair system for the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts is not new. Anyway, this incident sheds light on how the system can be compromised. 

It all boils down to the moral character of human who is leading. In India, there are many laws but implementation is wanting because of a lack of ethics. Questions have also been raised about the timing of this statement. One question to be asked to Mr Katju is that why he remained silent when the additional judge in question was given one-year extension. He should have done this expose then and there. Act of omission done by Mr Katju is equally immoral.

Here is the published letter on The Hindu website.

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