Seers seek ban on alcohol

BANGALORE: Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt has urged Karnataka State Temperance Board (KSTB) to organise spiritual and religious leaders convention at Taluk and District level to build alcohol-free society. He was speaking at the valedictory function of the two-day round table conference organised by KSTB in association with Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, National Service Scheme and Karnataka State Law University here on Thursday. The seer said that KSTB should organise such conventions with spiritual and religious leaders to reach more people. “There is a need to create awareness among public. By making people stop consuming alcohol through awareness is more effective,” he said. “If we control the alcohol consumption in society, at least 90 per cent of the crime rate will come down. Now, the government is stating that if they ban liquor sale completely, illicit liquor menace will increase. If 75 pc of alcohol consumption reduces, it will be easier for government to impose prohibition,” said Gangadharendra Saraswathi Mahaswami of Sonda Swarnavalli.