Attending a religious convocation for peace and amity among people of all religions, organised by the Dhanurjaya Charitable Trust on Sunday here, Arya saint and social activist Swami Agnivesh came down heavily on the State Government for promoting liquor and giving resources to Posco at throw-away prices for its 12,000 MT steel plant. He revealed to launch a nationwide stir against liquor from January 26.
He said consumption of liquor is restricted in all the religions, but the Odisha Government is little bothered about it and is rather promoting liquor trade in the State. He held it as anti-religious and anti-democracy.
Citing that Article 47 of the Constitution seeks to enforce a total prohibition on liquor, he said the politicians and Ministers are breaching the principles themselves although during the swearing- in ceremony they vowed to stand by the Constitutional tenets.
On Posco, Agnivesh stated that the State Government should not provide land, mine, water and mineral to the multi-national company by ignoring the locals. He also warned of another nation-wide protest against the South Korean steel firm and the insensitivities of the State and Central Governments to the concerns and difficulties of the locals whose lands and resources are forcibly acquired.