At least 37 people have lost their lives from consuming spurious liquor in Karunapuram, Kallakurichi district on 19 June 2024. The victims included two women and a transgender person, with 82 others currently receiving medical treatment. In response to the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed over 2,000 police personnel from various districts to Kallakurichi.
Following the incident, District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath was transferred, and Superintendent of Police Samay Singh Meena was suspended by the state government. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi expressed shock at the incident, prompting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to establish a commission headed by Justice B. Gokuldas, a former High Court judge, to conduct a thorough investigation. In support of the affected families, Chief Minister Stalin announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for each deceased person’s family and ₹50,000 for those currently undergoing treatment.
#BREAKING | கள்ளக்குறிச்சியில் விஷச் சாராயம் குடித்து உயிரிழந்தோர் குடும்பத்தினருக்கு தலா ₹10 லட்சம் நிவாரணமும், மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வருபவர்களுக்கு தலா ₹50,000 நிவாரணமும் வழங்க முதலமைச்சர் மு.க.ஸ்டாலின் உத்தரவு!
மேலும் இச்சம்பவம் தொடர்பாக விசாரணை ஆணையம் அமைத்து…
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) June 20, 2024
However, there has been public backlash on social media regarding the compensation, with netizens pointing out historical instances and criticisms. This includes references questioning the rationale behind such compensation, contrasting it with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s stance against compensating victims of illicit liquor consumption.
Recently, an explosion at a firecracker unit in Sengamalapatti near Sivakasi resulted in the tragic deaths of ten workers, including six women, with at least ten others hospitalized due to severe injuries. This incident occurred on 9 May 2024. Just two days ago, the DMK government had announced compensation of ₹3 lakh each for the victims. It is worth noting that the work these individuals were engaged in was legitimate. However, there has been significant criticism regarding the current compensation of ₹10 lakh per deceased person’s family for victims of illicit liquor consumption. Netizens have particularly highlighted a statement made by Nitish Kumar in December 2022 during an Assembly session, where he firmly stated that no compensation would be provided to those who died after consuming illicit liquor, emphasizing that there should be no sympathy for them. This statement has resonated widely on social media.
In addition, there is a growing sentiment among netizens that instead of compensating victims from the Chief Minister’s fund, the compensation should be sourced from arrack sellers perpetuated this incident.
Last year, a similar incident occurred where numerous individuals fell critically ill and required intensive hospital care after consuming illicit liquor in the Marakkanam areas of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. Reports indicated that 410 individuals were arrested across 10 districts, including Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Nagai, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore, in connection with the illegal sale of liquor. Among them, 150 people were remanded in custody, while approximately 260 offenders were released on bail and ten individuals were reported missing.
According to the Directorate General of Police (DGP) office, authorities seized 8,748 liters of adulterated liquor and 4,720 bottles of spirits as part of ongoing operations against illicit liquor across various districts. On 14 May 2023, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for each family of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for the 12 individuals hospitalized due to the incident.
This year, within a span of just one year, a similar unfortunate incident has occurred again with alarming intensity, which is deeply disheartening.
Netizen Criticism
A netizen stated, “This is a good government, If you drink & die it will give 10 lakhs”
குடிச்சிட்டு செத்தா 10 லட்சம்
நல்ல அரசுடா இது— manisrg (@Rangamanisrg) June 20, 2024
Another netizen wrote, “5 lakh if you go abroad for work and die. 10 lakhs if you die after drinking illicit liquor.”
வெளிநாடுகளுக்கு வேலைக்கு சென்று உயிர்விட்டால் 5 லட்சம். கள்ளச்சாராயம் குடித்து உயிர்விட்டால் 10 லட்சம்.
— Ttt7 (@thathu777) June 20, 2024
Another netizen wrote, “Wrong precedent. Why should the government provide relief to those who died after drinking illicit liquor?”
தவறான முன்னுதாரணம். கொழுப்பெடுத்து கள்ளச்சாராயம் குடித்து இறந்து போனதற்கு ஏன் அரசு நிவாரணம் வழங்கவேண்டும்?
— R Govindaraju (@raj2viji) June 20, 2024
Other netizens have raised questions about the rationale behind the government’s compensation, suggesting that it may inadvertently encourage more illicit liquor consumption and related dangers. They question the basis on which such decisions are made and who advised the government in this matter. There is concern that using taxpayers’ money to compensate those who engage in irresponsible drinking and subsequently suffer consequences could perpetuate such behaviors. Calls are being made for the government to take stringent action to curb these issues. If not addressed promptly, some argue that the responsible minister should take accountability for the administrative failures and consider resigning.
அடேய் லூசு கம்முனாட்டிகளா…
இது மேன்மேலும் #கள்ளச்சாராயம் காட்சவும்…
குடித்து சகவும் வழி வகுக்கும்..
எதன் அடிப்படையில் .. யார் கொடுத்த அறிவுரை. இது…💦
அரசு சார்பில் மருத்துவ உதவி சிறப்பாக செய்வதே சிறந்த தீர்வு— Thalapathy Ravi #TVK☀️ (@ravi01081990) June 20, 2024
சமூக பொறுப்பில்லாமல் குடித்து சாகும் இவர்களுக்கு மக்கள் வரி பணத்தில் நிவாரணமா?
அரசு கடுமையான நடவடிக்கை வேண்டும்.
இல்லையென்றால் இந்த நிர்வாக சீர்கேட்டிற்கு பொறுப்பேற்று சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அமைச்சர் பதவி விலக வேண்டும்.#wasteoftaxmoney
— Sathik K Basha🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@sathikkbasha1) June 20, 2024
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