PMK demands prohibition in TN

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to implement prohibition immediately, citing warnings from public health experts about genetic damage from alcohol consumption.

Anbumani cited Dr K Kolandaswamy, former Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, who warned that alcohol addiction could become embedded in the genetics of Tamil people if a total dry regime is not implemented.

Anbumani said prohibition was lifted in Tamil Nadu in 1971, and two generations have since consumed alcohol, causing genetic damage; a third generation consuming alcohol would alter the genetics of the Tamil population.

Anbumani alleged that during the previous DMK regime, over 20,000 illegal liquor outlets operated alongside around 5,000 state-run outlets, and the government granted licenses to over 1,200 recreation clubs while closing 500 liquor shops.

Anbumani noted that the TVK government under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had shut liquor shops near educational institutions, but recent reports suggest the government may permit re-opening, which he criticized.