Marriage in front of Beverages outlet to protest against selective relaxations of COVID norms

A novel protest was carried in Kerala's Kozhikode where a symbolic marriage was conducted before a Beverages outlet. The protest was against the government's selective relaxations to the Beverages outlets run by it while traders, caterers and others were losing out on their livelihoods due to strict COVID protocols on their economic activities.

Kozhikode: The quote says marriages are made in heaven, but for these protesters in Kerala's Kozhikode, it was in front of the Beverages corporation. Beverages corporation is a state government outlet for the sale of Indian-made foreign liquor(IMFL). Kerala is known for its grand traditional weddings and many industries and traders are dependent on it during the wedding season. COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lockdowns in the state and strict COVID guidelines have resulted in many of these weddings being downsized affecting many livelihoods in the process.

Though the LDF government in the state has been strict about ensuring COVID-19 protocols at social events and religious functions, there seem to be no protocols in place when it comes to the opening and functioning of the Beverages outlets run by it. People have been flouting protocols and large crowds have been seen at such outlets. No complaints or even action have been taken at Beverage outlets where there are blatant violations of COVID protocols. The All Kerala Caterers Association which has faced the brunt of the restrictions has decided to protest against the government's selective relaxations given to the beverages outlets.

A symbolic wedding was conducted in front of the Sarovaram Beverages outlet in Kozhikode to protest against this selective relaxation for certain trades. Pramod from Ramanattukara and Dhanya from Pantheerankavu married symbolically in front of the Beverages outlet. The person who officiated the symbolic wedding is MK Raghavan who represents the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency.

The MP said that the best place to conduct weddings in the state is in front of such outlets as the police too don't find anything objectionable and so the best place for weddings is in front of the outlet. Though there was a novelty to the protests, the protesters said that several people are losing out on their livelihood during wedding seasons in the state because of strict COVID protocols.