India’s resumption of alcohol sales during lockdown is fuelling a rise in domestic violence

When India imposed its strict coronavirus lockdown in March, alcohol sales were not allowed. But 41 days later, it allowed stores to reopen

Women’s groups say there has been a rise in reports of abuse, with several groups protesting outside liquor stores

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A man buys numerous bottles of liquor after India relaxed restrictions on the sale of alcohol earlier in May, amid concerns about the financial impact of lost revenue. But increased alcohol consumption has led to a rise in domestic abuse, women’s groups say. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:30pm, 20 May 2020Updated: 1:16pm, 21 May 2020

A few days ago, Jaidevi Kashyap had to dial 100, India’s emergency police helpline number. Her husband was drunk and had slapped their son in a fit of rage, and broken a fan, lights and furniture. Then he started beating her.

Domestic violence is nothing new for this 39-year-old Delhi resident, but she said her husband’s abuse abated when India went into lockdown in March and alcohol sales were banned.

“It happened only after he got access to alcohol,” she said. “Please get liquor shops closed, at least during the lockdown.”

People buy alcohol after the Indian government relaxed its restrictions on alcohol sales during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: EPA-EFE

India initially listed alcohol as a non-essential commodity and prohibited its sale during its extensive coronavirus containment measures. But 41 days into the strict lockdown, the government relented amid concerns over lost tax revenue, and allowed liquor stores to reopen countrywide except in containment zones, imposing a special “corona tax” of 70 per cent in some places.

As soon as that happened, people like Kashyap’s husband rushed to horde liquor, apparently paying much higher prices than usual.

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