Thiruvananthapuram • The Onam season has been marred by spurious liquor deaths in Kerala, three since Tuesday, but Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal’s remark that “all Keralites drink”, in a TV chat show, has spawned a controversy.

According to figures available with the Kerala State Beverages Corporation, the monopoly distributor of Indian-made foreign liquor in the State, liquor sales have been close to Rs 600m during three days of the festival.

Kerala’s per capita liquor consumption has been high, approximately 8 litres as against a national average of 4 litres, but Mohan Lal’s sweeping remark that “everyone in Kerala drinks liquor” has offended prohibitionists.

The Kottayam-based Mahatma Gandhi Foundation has sought an unconditional apology from him within 15 days or face legal proceedings. This is not the first time that the Foundation has taken on the actor, a recipient of the Padmashree award, for directly or indirectly promoting liquor consumption. A surrogate liquor ad, with Lal at a table, had led to fierce protests from the Foundation.

Foundation chairman Eby Jose says Lal is entitled to admitting in the TV interview that he likes his drinks but to brand every Keralite a drinker is an affront to the people of the State.

Eby Jose points out that Lal, though being an accomplished actor, should remember that the directive principles of the Indian Constitution recommend prohibition in phases. More, a 1950 Central law forbids liquor ads.

“Lal has been acting with impunity against the letter and spirit of what the country’s illustrious lawmakers had sought to achieve through persuasive legislation”, said Eby Jose.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Excise Department has suspended six officials in connection with the hooch deaths at Kunnikode, near Punalur, some 70 km from here. The deaths have been attributed binge drinking at a toddy shop where the shop-owner supplies free bonus booze in connection with the Onam festival. It’s ironic that the liquor joint at Kunnikode bears the name, Daivasahayam Shop, literally translated, “Divine Help”.

Although toddy outlets are licenced to sell only the low alcohol-containing extract from coconut tree, most shops smuggle in illicit arrack. The police arrested the licensee, Sarasamma, but the shop owner was absconding.