Research studies of the mid-phase of the ongoing lockdown pointed out the increased rate of domestic violence cases globally. India’s National Commission for Women (NCW) informed about the more complaints of domestic violence cases during the COVID-19 lockdown. Apart from that, The Economic Times of 20 April reported that Delhi High Court directed the Centre and the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government to hold a top-level meeting to deliberate on measures to curb domestic violence cases. Meanwhile, the decision regarding the opening of liquor shops is not less than any wonder. Now, social media is flooded with images of happy people waiting patiently for their turn to grab their stock of alcohol. The move by the decision-makers to save the dipping economy has come as a solace to many people as is evident from the long endless queue in front of the liquor shops across India. There is no doubt that states will achieve an economic boost with the liquor sale as was rightly judged before allowing to open liquor shops. But the larger question needs to be asked: “What are we heading to”. The ongoing lockdown has indeed given roots to frustration among many who are confined in the homes for the past 41 days. The cause of frustration is ranging from – lack of socializing among the rich and struggle to make both ends meet among the poor. But shifting the focus to migrant labours is needed as their agony is countless at this time.
When we talk about alcohol and alcoholism, there have been numerous researches in the past which suggest that alcohol contributes to violence and criminal activities. It can lower inhibitions, weaken a person’s judgment and hike the risk of aggressive behaviours. Though alcohol doesn’t necessarily result in domestic violence, it can escalate aggression in an already violent person which in turn can lead to domestic violence. People who have flocked in front of liquor shops are sure to stock up on alcohol in excessive amounts. For the existing abusers, alcohol will act as fuel to their violent tendencies. The swarm of people waiting on roads is not just violation of the social distancing we have been observing but has also created a pseudo platform for abusers to get off the wrongdoing in the name of alcohol easily.
If we consider the economically weaker section, there will be several homes where people are struggling to get even the essentials to run the household, but with the sudden opening of the liquor shops even their existence has been compromised. Even if there is one alcohol addict in the house, the meagre funds that currently exist with them would all be spent for the alcohol, and the rest of the family would be starving to death. In most cases, the addict is the man of the family or the sole breadwinner. In April, reports have been surfacing that post lockdown the instances of domestic abuse and violence have already doubled. Have you ever thought that if you don’t have an option to step away from your abuser or to hang up on a call when someone is talking nasty, “how will you feel?” With the lockdown being strictly imposed in many areas, it leaves very little room for the victim of abuse to seek help from others or to stay apart from the abuser. The victim is bound to bear with the atrocities silently. Various helplines and tele-counselling platforms have been set up to facilitate the mental well-being of the people, but again the question is that in a country like India, how many people do have access to these services.
The need to take care of the country’s economy is essential, but more important is to focus on the mental well-being of the people in lockdown. The current situation is calling in for the service of mental health and social work professionals who can virtually reach out to the victims and help them in all possible ways. Let this lockdown not act as a shelter for abusers to wash their hands off the crime they are committing and the victims to be tormented in silence. Even the 7% price hike could not moderate the number of people approaching the liquor shops. The need of the hour is to take proactive measures to moderate the quantity of liquor purchase by people. Our country is ‘of the People ‘ and ‘by the people’ and let us attempt to make nobody suffers in silence because people can build economy, but the economy cannot build people.
