Salient points of Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Dr. Sambit Patra’s Press Conference
Hooch Tragedy is deeply distressing, with over 56 deaths and many critically ill. It is concerning why leaders of the Congress party and their INDI Alliance are silent on this critical issue
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This issue is critical, yet AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, DMK and all members of the INDI Alliance are maintaining a troubling silence
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People have died due to consuming illicit liquor, yet the Opposition remains silent because speaking out against the deaths of Dalits does not align with their political agenda. Their silence implies these are sponsored murders
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Affair of illicit liquor was taking place in a prime location of the Kallakurichi district. Media reports indicate that this illegal activity had persisted for decades, with complicity between the administration and the government
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Media investigations have revealed that stickers of the DMK party were found on the premises of Govindaraju, who is alleged to be the kingpin of the tragedy
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District collector's statement, denying alcohol as the cause of death for those individuals, was made under pressure from DMK leaders, as the assembly session was scheduled to begin the next day
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Why are those who advocate and march for Dalit rights remaining silent? Why has no one raised questions even after the lives of 40 Dalits were played with?
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We hope INDI alliance leaders will wear black bands on their arms and visit Mahatma Gandhi's statue, showing remorse for the deaths of over 50 people, including 40 Dalits, due to their incompetence
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Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson and Puri Lok Sabha MP Dr. Sambit Patra addressed a press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday. During the press conference, Dr. Patra criticized the DMK and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin for negligence regarding the deaths of over 50 individuals, including more than 30 Dalits, due to consumption of illicit liquor. He also questioned the silence of Congress and the INDI Alliance regarding the matter.
Dr. Patra criticized the opposition parties for not taking the Hooch tragedy seriously and remaining silent on the issue. He emphasized that the Hooch tragedy should be at the center of national attention but has not received due focus. Dr. Patra highlighted that the incident, involving illicit liquor, occurred in Karunapuram, a SC-majority village in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district. More than 56 people have died, and many others are in critical condition in Karunapuram village due to the consumption of illicit liquor. Dr. Sambit Patra criticized AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and the entire DMK and INDI alliance for their silence on the critical issue of the Hooch tragedy. He mentioned that the silence of the INDI alliance suggests these are not merely deaths of over 30 people from the SC community but rather sponsored murders.Dr. Patra accused these parties of remaining silent because addressing the issue does not align with their political interests.
National Spokesperson of BJP, Dr. Patra stated that the facts presented by the media in news reports are very surprising. An illegal liquor business was being run in a prime location in Karunapuram village, Kallakurichi district. He pointed out that media reports have revealed that illicit liquor was being sold right beside the police station and in front of the district court. A prominent newspaper clearly stated that this illegal liquor business has been operating for decades, and the police administration was not only aware of the situation but has been indulging in it.
Dr. Patra stated that in May 2023, 23 people lost their lives after consuming illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts. Following this incident, a committee was formed, and the investigation was handed over to the CB-CID. He highlighted that the BJP had protested and presented facts regarding the then Excise Minister Masthan, but no corrective measures were taken. He suggested that if action had been taken, many innocent lives lost in the recent tragedy could have been saved. Dr. Sambit Patra mentioned that the illegal business of illicit liquor has been running for decades, with the administration aware of it but failing to take action. The situation is nothing short of state-sponsored murder, with nearly 40 of the over 50 deaths being Dalits.
MP Dr. Patra questioned why those who hold candle march and advocates for Dalit rights are maintaning silence when nearly 40 Dalit lives were played with and jeopardized. A newspaper article clearly stated the shop was located on a busy street. The article reported that municipal corporation wards 7, 8 and 9 in Karunapuram, where most residents are from the Scheduled Castes, experienced the tragedy, witnessing more than 32 deaths. It was also mentioned that ward 7 is where the kingpin Govind Raj's godown is located and ward 8 is the place where his ‘busy shop’ is situated.
Dr. Patra stated that photos of Govind Raj's house shown in the media reveal DMK stickers both outside and inside the premises of the house. The kingpin probably belongs to the DMK. The camera does not lie, numerous DMK stickers are clearly visible on the gates and inside the premises of Govind Raj's house. Dr. Patra questioned whether the Tamil Nadu CM is complicit and who would answer on his behalf. Will MK Stalin hold a press conference to address the issue himself or if a stake press conference should be expected to provide the truth.
National Spokesperson of BJP, Dr. Patra stated that today's newspaper clearly reported that the shop opened at 5 AM and was crowded until 7 AM. An individual named Guru Murthy, who owns another shop nearby, mentioned that it was always very crowded until 7 AM. Murthy conveyed earlier in Tamil, “Cashu iradu bottle, illa packet,” which means that if people had cash, they would buy bottles and if they didn't, they would buy packets. This practice had been going on for decades.
Dr. Patra stated that the independent councilor, Palraj, claimed the presence of DMK's pressure politics in the incident. In the area where the tragedy happened, the collector initially stated that the deaths were not due to illicit liquor. This statement reassured those with alcohol stockpiles, leading people to continue drinking until Wednesday, resulting in more deaths. If the collector had given the correct statement and issued a warning, many lives could have been saved. The collector's incorrect statement was made because the assembly session was the next day. Senior DMK leaders and possibly the Chief Minister himself, likely instructed the collector to make this statement. Shouldn't the Chief Minister address this issue, or will he remain silent?
MP Dr. Patra stated that newspapers have documented that police raids did occur there, but the kingpins were informed beforehand, allowing them to close their shutters and avoid any action. The MLA of the district where the incident happened has clearly stated that every time he tried to raise this issue in the legislative assembly, he was stopped. Money was distributed among DMK councilors to the administration and senior ministers. Kallakurichi district and Karunapuram are strongholds of the DMK.
BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Patra questioned Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, MK Stalin, Mamata Banerjee and Mallikarjun Kharge on their silence regarding the matter. He pointed out that many Dalits have died, yet these leaders have not spoken out or no one has organized any kind of protest or candle march in response. Dr. Patra stated that if this incident had occurred in any other state, one can imagine how vigorously the issue would have been raised. Dr. Patra mentioned thatthe Parliament session will commence from Monday, and we hope that the leaders of the INDI alliance will visit the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, who was against illicit liquor, wearing black bands on their arms. They must show remorse for the deaths of over 50 people, including 40 Dalits, due to the incompetence of the INDI alliance.
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