The Stalin-led DMK government has announced a compensation of ₹10 Lakhs to each of the families of the deceased in the twin spurious liquor tragedies in the Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts. This has spurred a major political row in the state, and opposition leaders, including the BJP leader, Annamalai, and AIADMK leader, Edapadi Palanisamy, have demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister. 

Annamalai, in a shocking revelation, showed that a person named Ammavasai, who has been arrested in Chengalpat as the main culprit of the illegal brewing case, is the brother of a Deputy Secretary of the DMK party. What is worse is the fact that the DMK party has awarded a compensation of ₹50,000 to the culprit. 

The way the police handled the controversy and the tragedy is raising several questions. When Markkanam people complained of vomiting and nausea, the police arrested Amaran, who was then released by the Sub-Inspectors after receiving ₹15,000 as a bribe following the intervention from Vizhupuram DMK Town Secretary Ravikumar.  

Now Amaran is arrested again after the tragedy, and based on his confession, Muthu was apprehended by police while he was making his way to surrender to the court. Muthu confessed and admitted that he had bribed the Excise Inspector, SI, L&O Inspector, driver, Marakkanam Inspector, SI, Head Constable, and many more inside the police department to ensure a smooth production and sale of hooch. The accused also added that Muthu received supplies from ‘Maroor’ Raja, the husband of DMK Ward councilor Ramya and has a close association with the DMK Minister Masthan. Due to this, the police would never inspect Maroor Raja’s vehicle, and even if they did so, Rizwan, the son-in-law of Masthan, would interfere and ensure that the supplies were transported seamlessly. 

Even when ‘Maroor’ Raja was arrested last April, DMK minister Masthan ensured that the police did not use the Goondas Act and let him operate the liquor network from inside the jail. 

Further, political commentator Savukku Sankar’s blog has revealed how the TASMAC minister Senthil Balaji exerts control over all the licensed and unlicensed bars across the state. He has also called out the popular ‘Karur Gang’ for collecting ₹2 extra per bottle from the customers by force. Those employees who fail to cooperate with the gang are transferred or suspended. 

Savukku Shankar also exposed the controversy behind the suspension of the Villupuram SP Shreenatha IPS. The Prohibition Enforcement Wing has three officers, namely SP Kannan, SP Senthil Kumar, and SP Jayanthi. The officers Jayanthi and Senthil Kumar are responsible for preventing the illicit distillation and distribution of liquor. Savukku Shankar has claimed that Kannan is a corrupt officer, and the incident happened under his jurisdiction. So, if someone has to be held accountable and suspended for the latest  hooch tragedy, it is one or all of these three officers. But, the Stalin government has chosen the Vizhupuram SP for suspension, and this has raised so many questions. 

Beyond that, the government reports suggested that the police raided the illicit distillers and distributors in Vizhupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai and arrested them. How is it possible to figure out all the illicit distributors in a single day? This is proof enough that the ministers and the police officials have all information about the hooch network, and they weren’t taking any steps to stop this and save the lives of the innocent. 

A deeper look shows the pathetic picture of governance and law and order in the state. Those widowed due to the excessive, continuous consumption of the Tasmac-branded, legally recognized alcohol in the state only receive a compensation of ₹2000 a month. This is after they have experienced abuse and violence on a day-to-day basis from their alcohol-addicted husbands. 

Leave the widows, Several gang men and power staff die have died in the last few months due to electrocution in the state, and none of them received ₹10 Lakhs.

The Minister responsible for both these departments – liquor and electricity – is V. Senthilbalaji. That the DMK government gives 10 lakhs to boozers who died of spurious alcohol while ignoring the plight of field staff tells a lot about the infamous ‘Dravidian Model’.

There are a few children in Tamil Nadu suffering from rare diseases and genetic disorder like Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Every day we come across several fundraising campaigns on social media platforms. Though there are around 250+ disorders, the government has no special scheme to cater to such parents and children. There are many more avenues for the government to support the truly victimized and contribute to their upliftment. But the DMK government awards a whopping ₹10 lakh for deceased alcohol addicts and ₹50,000 for those taking treatment!

There have been several incidents of people dying when they clean sewers and septic tanks. Many have died from explosions and fires at cracker factories and companies in Sivakasi. 

Contrast all these against the ₹10 lakh exgratia offered for the death of spurious liquor tragedy. It will only mean that the DMK government is encouraging the consumption of illegally brewed alcohol.

Also, is the government endeavoring to protect the accused by offering huge compensation and suppressing the voice of the victims and their families? 

A responsible government should ensure that there is awareness among people about the danger involved in consuming hooch. People should also be educated about the difference between ethanol and methanol and how to identify them. 

A majority of those arrested in the case are either holding positions in the DMK party or have close allies with the ministers and party members. Those in the top brass with close associations with the family-run distilleries and wholesale supply chains like Golden Vats, Accord, SNJ, KALS group, etc., hold the licenses to sell through the TASMAC bars and are spoiling innocent lives. On the one hand, those down the hierarchy holding panchayat-level positions are involved in running unlicensed bars and distributing illicit liquor, on the other. By all means, this government and the DMK families are earning a major chunk from the liquor business and are single-handedly responsible for disrupting the peace of several families in the state. 

Until now, the proponents of Dravidian Model peddle the myth that state-control over liquor sales through TASMAC is necessary to curtail illicit liquor.

This hooch tragedy has not just busted this myth but has also exposed the pathetic Dravidian Model of governance.

(Kothai is a freelance political analyst and content strategist.)

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