Liquor Shops Open: From Rose To Rum, Can Women Be Left To Drink In Peace

Honestly, I don’t know when was the last time I had alcohol, my four-year-old has recently discovered Tang, and every evening he dutifully makes us a drink. Stocking up on Tang has been far easier in the past one month or so I realize as now with the news of the partial lifting of lockdown restrictions the only thing people are celebrating is opening of booze shops. This morning I saw someone on Twitter comparing the queues to demonetization days, except they noted that people are willingly standing this time. And this one is going to the hall of fame for such reverence…

Posted without comment. #liquor #liquorshops #Lockdown3 pic.twitter.com/NLHya73lYn

— Carona Mohapatra (@carona_m) May 4, 2020

I also chuckled when I read a comment by a woman, “We have had 8 ‘expired’ beers and I have been staring at them all these days. I can’t wait to get booze.” The other day my milkman wanted us to help him in getting alcohol for his uncle who in his words is otherwise bringing the house down. I have tried really hard to help people as far as possible during this lockdown but I had to politely turn him down. There was hardly any stash at home. Was I offended at his request? No. He was genuinely troubled and was looking for a solution. I understood and I heard him. But why is it that people find it unreasonable that women too may want the booze shops open? Why can’t anything between Rosé and Rum and Coke be on their minds after cleaning, mopping, cooking, et al.? Why the assumption that women have not been drinking during this lockdown? Why judge if they want to run to the store and stock?' Like the lady in the video here.

Also Read: Why Does Our Morality Wake Up Only When Women Drink Alcohol?

Just like men women also drink to have a nice time and enjoy, or just to unwind. From corporate parties to weddings, in happiness and in sadness women in India have been drinking. And they sit and drink with other women too. Remember the Dolly Ahluwalia and Kamlesh Gill in Vicky Donor? They stand for real people. We love giving each other such slurred advice.

Why can’t anything between Rosé and Rum and Coke be on their minds after cleaning, mopping, cooking, et al.? Why the assumption that women have not been drinking during this lockdown?

If a woman feels she needs alcohol then she should have the right to get it without being judged. It is after all her problem not yours.

New York, which is the city worst hit by novel coronavirus infection, included wine and spirits stores in the list of “essential" businesses. The only reason I can think of why we had a complete ban on alcohol is the government doesn’t trust that we its subjects drink responsibly. Delhi earns Rs 5,000 crore from liquor sale every year. So as the country completed perhaps its first-ever dry month, it affected the country’s economy too. Why is it we are not talking about acute withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, delirium and aggressive behaviour, which are side effects of alcoholism? Nearly 57 million Indians are addicted to alcohol, according to a 2019 study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Alcoholism is the bigger problem here not alcohol or your gender.

If a woman feels she needs alcohol then she should have the right to get it without being judged. It is after all her problem not yours.

Also read: Women in Bijnor stand up against alcoholism

If you feel like drinking and you are not underage, you should, the only thing is drink quality liquor and as per your capacity. It is no mean feat being a woman in India, let us have these small privileges especially when we have to deal with a pandemic outside and pandemonium inside the house.

The views expressed are the author's own.