Reports reveal that the divorce rate among plantation workers of Idukki is on the rise.
As reported by The Times of India, in the last six months, 287 cases of divorce from Kattappana Family court and 145 cases from Thodupuzha court have been recorded.
The Kattappana family court which covers the high range plantation area, gets almost 10 cases on a daily basis, as per the report.
As per the data accessed by ToI, in 2015, Idukki district had 506 cases of divorce and it increased to 760 in 2016.
Speaking to The News Minute, a social worker, Abraham Thomas, who had earlier worked among plantation workers of Munnar told The News Minute that alcoholism is the main reason for family issues in high range.
“Labourers largely consume alcohol and spend a major chunk of their earnings on the same. Since women have become more independent now, they are no longer ready to tolerate these issues caused by alcoholism,” he said. “The women are also strong enough to seek alimony in the cases,” he said.
He added that in the high range areas, drug abuse is also an issue.
“High ranges are known for their illegal drug usage. Different varieties of Marijuana and other drug abuse substances like magic mushroom are available. This can also be the reason for the high rates,” he added.
According to data compiled by the Department of Justice and published in January 2017, Kerala has the highest number of divorce cases pending in family courts in India, with over 52,000 cases awaiting a verdict.
In the last few years, Kerala has also topped divorce rates, with five divorces every hour and 130 cases reported every day.