Malankara Metropolitan warns of mass protest against brewery

He accuses the government of failing to prevent the spread of liquor and drugs

Malankara Orthodox Church head Baselios Marthoma Mathews III has warned the government of a mass protest against the proposed liquor plant in Elapully. Inaugurating a people’s assembly against the proposed brewery at Elapully near here on Saturday afternoon, the Metropolitan accused the government of failing to prevent the spread of liquor and drugs.

The Assembly of Christian Trust Services (ACTS) organised the people’s protest against the brewery by joining hands with several like-minded organisations.

ACTS general secretary George Sebastian welcomed the gathering. Elapully grama panchayat president K. Revathy Babu delivered the introductory remarks. Former Congress State president V.M. Sudheeran presided over the function.

Mr. Sudheeran warned the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of a severe backlash from the people for leading the State “into a social disaster”. He said that the way the government sanctioned the brewery in Elapully was not transparent. “The government should withdraw its decision, and apologise to the people,” he said.

The Metropolitan handed over the ‘torch of protest’ to Ms. Babu, who later felicitated women achievers as part of celebrating the international women’s day.

Elapully panchayat members Anita C., S. Sumati, Punya Kumari offered solidarity with the agitation against the brewery.

Kerala Madhya Virudha Samiti chairman Joshua Mar Ignathios offered the support of the organisation for the ACTS protest against the brewery. Palakkad Bishop Mar Peter Kochupurakkal, Bishop Oommen George, Mon Maria Joseph, Mansoor Ali Hassani, T. Balakrishnan, and ACTS secretary Kuruvila Mathews spoke.