New Delhi, January 30: With the whole nation commemorating the 71st death anniversary of ‘Father of the Nation’ – Mahatma Gandhi, the Tamil Nadu government had announced a state-wide ban on the sale of liquor – Dry Day – on Wednesday. This is for the first time that the state has observed a complete ban on the sale of liquor on Martyr’s Day.

Following the order passed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the Tamil Nadu government – led by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami – imposed a complete ban on the sale of liquor in the state and announced that the state will observe Martyr’s Day – the day on which Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated – as ‘Dry Day’. Martyrs' Day 2019: President Ram Nath Kovind, Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Others Pay Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on His 71st Death Anniversary. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the Division Bench of Madras High Court – Justices KK Sasidharan and PD Audikesavalu – observed that 2019 being the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi, so as a mark of respect his death anniversary should also be remembered. The court said, as quoted by The Hindu, “As a mark of respect, we direct the Tamil Nadu government to declare January 30 as a dry day by closing all liquor shops across the State.” List of Dry Days in Delhi 2019: Check Complete Calendar With Dates When Alcohol Is Not for Sale in the Capital City of India. 

It is to be known that each year ‘Dry Day’ is observed on only three days – Republic Day, Independence Day and on October 2nd. But, being the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi, the decision was taken by the court to ban the sale of liquor, and the state government followed it.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 30, 2019 12:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).