Chandrababu’s ‘30,000 Deaths’ Claim Sparks Debate
The remarks made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the Collectors’ Conference have triggered a political debate. Chandrababu claimed that 30,000 people died due to the so-called ‘J Brands’ liquor during the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government. He said that soon after coming to power, the coalition government cancelled those liquor brands and introduced a new liquor policy.
However, a review of official Central Government data appears to present a different picture from the Chief Minister’s claim.
What Did the Central Government Tell Parliament?
On July 19, 2022, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai provided details in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by Kunwar Danish Ali regarding deaths caused by illicit liquor.
According to the figures provided by the Central Government, Andhra Pradesh recorded:
- 2016: 23 deaths
- 2017: 183 deaths
- 2018: 42 deaths
- 2019: 27 deaths
This means that a total of 275 people died due to illicit liquor in Andhra Pradesh between 2016 and 2019, according to the official figures presented in Parliament.
What About the Jagan Government?
The same Central Government response stated that 18 deaths due to illicit liquor were recorded in Andhra Pradesh in 2020, during the Jagan government.
Subsequently, data published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in its Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India reports shows no recorded deaths due to illicit liquor in Andhra Pradesh in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
According to these official figures, apart from the 18 deaths recorded in 2020, there is no corresponding record of illicit-liquor deaths in Andhra Pradesh during the subsequent years of the Jagan government.
275 Deaths Under Chandrababu’s Previous Government
The official figures also show that 275 deaths due to illicit liquor were recorded in Andhra Pradesh between 2016 and 2019, when Chandrababu Naidu was Chief Minister.
In comparison, the Central Government data records 18 deaths in 2020 during the Jagan government.
This raises questions about the basis for the claim that 30,000 people died because of ‘J Brands’ liquor during the previous YSRCP government.
Where Is the Official Data for 30,000 Deaths?
The key question now being raised is: Where were these 30,000 deaths recorded?
If 30,000 people died because of liquor during the Jagan government, critics are questioning which official government report, statistical database or investigation report supports that figure.
The available Central Government and NCRB data cited above does not appear to reflect a figure anywhere close to 30,000 deaths due to illicit liquor in Andhra Pradesh.
Debate Over the ‘J Brands’ Narrative
Another issue under discussion is the political narrative surrounding the term ‘J Brands’.
YSRCP leaders and supporters have claimed that the Jagan government did not grant permissions for new distilleries and did not approve new liquor brands during its tenure. They further contend that several liquor brands that were subsequently described politically as ‘J Brands’ had actually entered the market during previous governments.
These claims have become part of the wider political debate over liquor policy in Andhra Pradesh.
Illicit Liquor Cases Under the Current Government
At the same time, incidents involving the alleged manufacture of illicit liquor have also been reported during the tenure of the present coalition government.
YSRCP leaders have alleged that illicit liquor manufacturing units were seized from individuals who were said to have links with people associated with the TDP. There have also been reports of incidents in which people allegedly died after consuming liquor.
These incidents have added another dimension to the political debate over liquor regulation and enforcement in the state.
Political Claims vs Official Statistics
Overall, there appears to be a significant gap between the political allegations being made over liquor-related deaths and the official statistics available from the Central Government and NCRB.
The available official data shows 275 illicit-liquor deaths in Andhra Pradesh between 2016 and 2019, compared with 18 deaths recorded in 2020. NCRB data subsequently shows no recorded illicit-liquor deaths in Andhra Pradesh for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Against this backdrop, the central question remains: What is the source of the claim that 30,000 people died due to ‘J Brands’ liquor during the Jagan government?
Critics argue that if such a figure is being cited, the government should clarify which official report or verified data supports the claim.
