KOCHI: Going by the trend of news on the state ban on bars, it will be a hangover that will last a little more than the usual one.
Most of the headlines in the international media that appeared on Thursday screamed that the D-Day is nearing while the social media was divided on the Supreme Court verdict.
“Tourists giving Kerala the cold shoulder as state goes dry,” “Tourists turned off as Kerala goes dry with alcohol ban,” “As Kerala Starts Going Dry, Tourists Start Saying “Bye”’ are some of the heads in the national and international media, anticipating the closure of bars in the state on Thursday.
However, by noon the social networks were overjoyed by the news of Supreme court order that allowed the bars to function till September 30. Majority of the posts in Facebook were all in praise for the SC order. As if in a counter to a popular dialogue in Malayalam film Salt ‘N’ Pepper by actor Baburaj, a lot of users posted:
“There is a Supreme Court, for the sake of drunkards,” (Kudiyanamarkku Chodikkaanum Parayanum Supreme Kodathi Undu), in a rather sarcastic tone. Meanwhile, there were a number of analytical posts as well. Some sceptics felt the order was a personal victory of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy while many used it as an opportunity to target KPCC president V M Sudheeran, who pulled the genie of prohibition.
“This is a setback to Sudheeran who wanted to convert the state into a bar,” posted one. “It’s a direct hit on some religious heads who boasts of their infallibility,” said another. Dr B Iqbal, former Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University, however had a different view. “The reaction to the prohibition shows that the state has a feudal male mindset.
How all, including those who don’t love drinks, doctors and even some women activists, in addition to the spirit lovers and the liquor lobby, vehemently point out the impracticality of prohibition through their speech and writing?,” he posted.