The death toll in the tragic hooch incident in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, has climbed to 56, prompting calls for action and raising questions about the response of political parties. Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party chief and actor Kamal Haasan visited the victims on Sunday, urging them to be cautious about their consumption of alcohol.
He emphasized the need for occasional and social drinking, stating, “These victims will have to understand they have exceeded their limit, and they have been careless. They have to be careful. They have to take care of their health.” Haasan also called for the establishment of psychiatric centers to offer counseling to those affected by the tragedy.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has questioned the silence of INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, on the issue. BJP MP from Puri, Sambit Patra, expressed his surprise at the lack of response from the opposition alliance, stating, “More than 56 people have died and many of them are critical, still about 200 people are admitted to the hospital. This is such an important issue, and I am surprised that Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, DMK and all the people of the INDIA alliance are silent on this issue.”
Patra further argued that the incident should not be considered merely a case of death but rather a murder, especially considering the high number of Dalit victims.
The Tamil Nadu government has taken steps in response to the tragedy. A total of 216 patients were admitted to four hospitals in the state, with the majority of deaths occurring at Kallakurichi Medical College, where 31 people have succumbed and 108 remain hospitalized. A judicial inquiry led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas has been ordered to investigate the incident. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹ 10 lakh to the kin of each deceased, along with ₹ 50,000 each for those currently under treatment.
