Women groups vandalizing Liquor shops; is it yogi effect !!!

(Pi Bureau)

 

Lucknow: Amidst huye and cry over Anti Romeo squad and shutting of slaughter houses , a new phenomenon is being witnessed all over the state where women groups demanding Bihar-like liquor prohibition in Uttar Pradesh, and not only demanding but actually they are up on roads to fight for it.

Over the past few days, several women vigilante groups have invaded wine shops, beer bars and country-made liquor shops across Uttar Pradesh, demanding closure of such establishments. Such attacks have started since Yogi has swear in as new CM of the state.

This phenomenon can be easily seen across the state , Lucknow to Lalitpur , and from Meerut to Jaunpur women attacking alcohol shops is becoming a common sight.

 

Interestingly, there is no single organisation behind these incidents and the women vigilante groups claim to be inspired by each other.

Yesterday attack  on a liquor shop in Kanpur near bansmandi told that the attackers were wearing saffron bandanas and they shouted religious slogans before shutting down the liquor shop. Vandematram and jay sri ram were the slogans raised while vandalizing the liquor shops.

 

In Lucknow, a shop in Dalibagh locality was attacked and vandalized and after few hours a country liquor shop near Gomti Nagar Railway station- Nawabpurwa was set on fire by the women vigilant groups. The caretaker of the shop sustained injuries while trying to douse the fire.

 

In a similar incident, a liquor shop, which was earlier relocated from Lucknow-Sitapur highway to Chataurpur village, was torched by the villagers after a drunk man allegedly assaulted an eight-year-old girl. Apart from attacking alcohol shops, these women often block highways.

 

Similar incidents have been reported from Sarojni Nagar area of Lucknow and Banthara on Lucknow-Kanpur highway.

In a region otherwise known for patriarchal social structure, UP has had women vigilante groups in past as well. In 2010, Gulabi Gang, a group of women activists in Bundelkhand region, came to limelight for its violent protests against domestic abuse.

 

According to report, 5,334 liquor shops have already shifted. Experts say if liquor shops move to residential areas, such protests could see a spike.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has assured women groups that the state government would will do “the best it can” to protest their rights.