Mar Thoma Church head opposes Kerala govt’s move to cut tax on low-alcohol beverages

Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church head Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan on Friday expressed his opposition to the Kerala government’s decision to reduce the tax on low-alcohol beverages, saying the Church was against all forms of liquor.

Speaking at a function attended by Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in Pathanamthitta, the Metropolitan said the Church could not support the promotion or sale of any alcoholic beverages.

“The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church is against liquor. Whether it is low-alcohol beverages or otherwise, selling them to youngsters is not acceptable to the Church,” he said.

He said the Church would continue to support campaigns against liquor.

“The Church’s wish is that the State should become free from liquor. I hope everyone shares the same objective,” he said.

The State government’s decision to reduce the tax on low-alcohol beverages was announced in the revised Budget presented last month.

The proposal triggered protests from Opposition parties and various sections of society, including churches.

The State government has maintained that the sale of low-alcohol beverages has not yet commenced in Kerala and that a final decision on the matter would be taken only after discussions within the ruling UDF and the Congress party.