IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, Sep 28: India’s eminent Muslim organization has strongly criticized the Gujarat government of BJP over the hooch tragedy in Surat which has reportedly claimed 23 lives. Holding the state government responsible for the deaths, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on Wednesday said the incident has “exposed the hype and harsh reality of ‘dry’ Gujarat.”
“We hold the state government of Gujarat responsible for this tragedy as it turned a blind eye to the thriving illegal business of liquor supply. This hooch tragedy has thoroughly exposed the hype and harsh reality of ‘dry’ Gujarat,” said Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary General of Jamaat in a press statement here today.
The tragedy took place in Vareli village of Palsana tehsil in Surat district in the first week of Sep. It is the biggest hooch tragedy after the one in 2009.
In 2009 also, nearly 150 people were killed after consuming spurious alcohol in Ahmedabad. Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat at that time.
Jamaat leader demanded the state government that “the guilty be awarded harsh punishment and that the illegal trading and supply of liquor from neighboring states be stopped.”
While demanding ban on liquor in the entire country, Jamaat leader said: “Alcohol which is termed by Islam as “the mother of all evils” not only brings death and destruction to many families but is also damaging the social and moral fabric of society.”
He said Gujarat needs to honestly implement its own existing prohibition law.
“It is high time that prohibition that already exists in Gujarat is implemented in letter and spirit and the complete ban on liquor by the state does not remain only on paper,” said Salim Engineer.
Taking the Surat incident seriously, the Gujarat government has already transferred Inspector General of Surat Range Narsimha Komar and Superintendent of Police Mayursinh Chavda. Besides, six policemen have also been suspended.
