The lexicon defines sheeple as people compared to sheep in being docile, foolish or easily led. Being part of digital and sundry other ‘revolutions’ we might not like to be viewed so. But, the scenario in Uttarakhand after the Supreme Court directive on distancing licensed liquor shops from highways has started a chain of events which need to be confronted and resolved to differentiate between the sheeple and aware citizenry.
Firstly, one is not praising liquor or encouraging its consumption. However, honestly and scientifically addressed rather than being prohibited in a manner which will fuel bootlegging. Back in the days before creation of Uttarakhand, one will recall that alcohol consumption was not a widespread phenomenon in the society here. Some communities in the state have traditionally brewed liquor from millet, potatoes and other items for a long time while keeping the consumption regulated. But, during the periodic trips to our native village, I hardly saw an alcoholic under the influence during the entire journey. In the village, people were involved in farming and their lifestyles were in sync with nature’s biological clock. Hence, people who woke up before dawn, worked hard all day, had balanced meals and social interaction before going to sleep early in the night never or rarely felt the need for liquor that often as their brains were releasing the feel-good chemicals without any external aid.
After creation of Uttarakhand accompanied by construction of motor roads and varied ‘developments’, the sale and consumption of Indian made foreign liquor was spread across the state. The Government and opposition who now talk of complete prohibition remained silent and even actively abetted the liquor culture in the state as the police and administration insistently ignored the ‘trend’ of loud and often vulgar music being played in booze fuelled parties way past the legally permissible time limit.
Further, contrary to basic governance principles, beer was and is still costlier than hard liquor in Uttarakhand as if to make the consumers opt for stronger drinks instead of beer with lesser alcohol content. The authorities remained apathetic or as many allege, actively involved in the dubious machinations which have corrupted even the licensed sale of liquor in absence of control on price or quality.
The recent court orders and changing the status of highway stretches by the state government to enable sale of liquor sparked protests against liquor outlets. In some cases, the protests appear to be genuine especially with women not being in the mood to suffer any more from the effects of unregulated liquor use.
There is no denying that substance abuse takes a heavy toll on the individual and society but it is the individual and society who are to blame for it, not the substance. There are people who consume liquor and other substances responsibly without causing any trouble for themselves or society. But, the sense of responsibility seems to have disappeared faster than the waters of the Rispana and Bindal rivers now converted to channels of sewage and sludge.
What is more dangerous is that many of those protesting against liquor in the state are apparently doing so for ulterior political and commercial gains while touting their non-existent concern for society. One says so because there haven’t been such protests against bootleggers delivering booze in residential localities or peddlers of smack and other drugs spreading their tentacles in the state. While protests continue against liquor shops in the state, the government is talking of restricting the liquor sale timings in the future.
One doubts whether this will solve the problems associated with the sale and irresponsible consumption of liquor. What one is clearer about is that there is another problem which kills more people, causes more damage and abets irresponsible behaviour on a much larger scale than liquor—the non-observance of traffic regulations.
The authorities have consistently failed to enforce traffic related regulations while the people have continued to ignore the same. The result - chronic traffic congestion, frequent mishaps like the bus accident which recently killed 45 persons, disregard for the law and infrastructural issues. Data about the toll taken by alcohol abuse is not easily available on the public domain but the number of people killed or injured in accidents, loss of time, effort and money in traffic jams and environmental destruction caused by road widening to supposedly resolve traffic congestion are clearly visible across Uttarakhand.
It is important to address the liquor issue but it is also vital to address long ignored traffic issues and in both these issues the desired success cannot be achieved if society remains dominated by sheeple.