Crackdown on Kerala FB ‘liquor group’

Thiruvananthapuram: A nearly two million-strong fraternity on social media in Kerala who share a common interest in good food and drink has suddenly been dragged into the limelight after authorities deemed it illegal.

The social media fraternity claims to have 1.8 million members and go by the name ‘Glass-ile Nurayum Plate-ile Curry-um’ which translates into the ‘Fizz in the glass and curry on the plate’, or GNPC for short.

Police have registered a case against the social media community claiming that the group promoted liquor consumption and violated child rights by giving visuals of minors on their social media page.

The Facebook group is also accused of spurring religious hatred and violating the liquor policy guidelines of the state government.

The state government has monopoly in the liquor sector in Kerala, and sell through Kerala State Beverages Corporation outlets.

Excise department officials in the state have already started raids on the premises of some of the members of the fraternity, even as some members have approached the courts for anticipatory bail.

Authorities claim their initial investigations had shown the group was being supported by liquor manufacturers, and that liquor companies had sponsored the annual get-togethers of the members in Thiruvananthapuram and abroad.

Meanwhile, GNPC members have started a campaign saying that they have done no wrong and that the authorities are trying to destroy the largest social media group in the state.

On its social media page, GNPC describes itself as the “world’s biggest secret group”, warns that alcohol consumption is injurious to health, advises not to drink and drive and to say no to drugs.

Supporters of GNPC called on the government to ban adulterated curry powder brands, adulterated coconut oil brands and other such items before banning GNPC.