MP men with ‘liquor issue’ paraded with shaved heads, garland of shoes
Three tribal men were paraded with a garland of shoes around their necks after their heads were partially shaved in a Madhya Pradesh village for consuming alcohol.
The panchayat of Khareh village in Shivpuri had banned consumption of liquor a week ago, and imposed a fine of ₹11,000 on offenders, failing which they would be ousted from the village — but not before they had been used to set example for others.
“Vikram Adiwasi, Kotu Adiwasi and Satish Adiwasi arrived home on Sunday after consuming alcohol. When others learnt about it, the three were asked to pay ₹11,000 which they refused. On Monday, the panchayat punished them,” a villager said.
“These men get drunk and create problems. We are happy with the punishment as it would demotivate habitual drunkards,” Madhu Adiwasi, 38, said.
Of the three, two are married. However, their families did not oppose the action as it was imposed by the panchayat.
Vikram Adiwasi said “rules should not be given importance but the dignity of a person”. “We were publicly humiliated and people were enjoying it. It will be difficult now for me and my family to live here.”
Requesting anonymity, a villager said persuasion from the superintendent of police Sunil Kumar Pandey led to the village imposing a ban on consumption of liquor. “The quantum and the nature of punishment were, however, decided by the members of panchayat,” he added.
SP Pandey condemned the act, saying, “We never asked any panchayat to indulge in such punitive action. The act of the villagers is unacceptable and the police would inquire into the matter. If the victims lodge a complaint, we will initiate criminal action against the guilty under Section 499 of the IPC.”