In a significant political development today, BJP leaders K. Annamalai and Tamilisai Soundararajan were arrested during a protest outside Tasmac’s headquarters in Chennai, where the party was demanding the closure of state-run liquor outlets. The protest was organized in response to the increasing social and health problems associated with alcohol consumption in Tamil Nadu, which the BJP claims are exacerbated by the state’s reliance on Tasmac for revenue.
The protest was intended to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of alcohol addiction, which has led to a rise in domestic violence, economic distress, and public health issues. The BJP has been consistently critical of the Tamil Nadu government’s handling of the liquor trade, accusing the ruling DMK of using alcohol sales as a primary source of state income at the expense of public welfare.
As the protestors gathered outside the Tasmac headquarters, the police swiftly intervened, arresting the BJP leaders under charges of disrupting public order and inciting violence. The arrests led to further protests from BJP supporters, who argued that the government was using its authority to silence political dissent and stifle the growing public concern over alcohol addiction.
In the wake of the arrests, Annamalai stated that the BJP would continue to fight against the state’s liquor policies, calling for a ban on Tasmac outlets and a move towards alternative, healthier revenue-generation strategies. Tamilisai Soundararajan expressed her disappointment with the government’s decision to arrest the protestors, calling the action an attempt to suppress democratic rights.
