Coimbatore farmers staged a unique protest, consuming toddy at the Collector's office, demanding legalization of toddy sales. They cited constitutional provisions and sought permission to sell toddy to Kerala.
Coimbatore: In a dramatic protest, farmers from the Narayanasamy Naidu Farmers Association consumed toddy in front of the Coimbatore Collector's office, demanding the legalization of toddy sales in Tamil Nadu. The demonstration, which saw farmers carrying bottles of toddy and even pouring it on the streets, has stirred significant controversy.
The protesters arrived at the Collector's office to submit a petition seeking permission to tap and sell toddy from palm and coconut trees to Kerala. They raised slogans against TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) and called for the implementation of toddy sales in the state.
Speaking to reporters, Babu, the leader of the Narayanasamy Naidu Farmers Association, said, "We have been fighting for permission to sell toddy in Tamil Nadu since 2009. In 2011, the then Chief Minister Kalaignar appointed the Sivasubramanian Commission, but its report has not been released to date."
Babu further alleged that for the past week, police in the Pollachi area have been continuously intimidating farmers, preventing them from accessing their farms. He emphasized, "The Indian Constitution recognizes toddy as a part of food and allows its sale. While TASMAC sells alcohol that is harmful to health, banning toddy, which is a part of our food culture, affects our livelihood."
The farmers demanded that if toddy sales cannot be permitted within Tamil Nadu, they should at least be allowed to export it to neighboring Kerala, similar to how they export vegetables. "We will continue to engage in toddy sales in Tamil Nadu. If we are prevented, we will intensify our protests," Babu declared.
The unique protest has brought the long-standing issue of toddy legalization in Tamil Nadu back into the spotlight, highlighting the complex interplay between traditional practices, livelihood concerns, and state policies.
The protesters arrived at the Collector's office to submit a petition seeking permission to tap and sell toddy from palm and coconut trees to Kerala. They raised slogans against TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) and called for the implementation of toddy sales in the state.
Speaking to reporters, Babu, the leader of the Narayanasamy Naidu Farmers Association, said, "We have been fighting for permission to sell toddy in Tamil Nadu since 2009. In 2011, the then Chief Minister Kalaignar appointed the Sivasubramanian Commission, but its report has not been released to date."
Babu further alleged that for the past week, police in the Pollachi area have been continuously intimidating farmers, preventing them from accessing their farms. He emphasized, "The Indian Constitution recognizes toddy as a part of food and allows its sale. While TASMAC sells alcohol that is harmful to health, banning toddy, which is a part of our food culture, affects our livelihood."
The farmers demanded that if toddy sales cannot be permitted within Tamil Nadu, they should at least be allowed to export it to neighboring Kerala, similar to how they export vegetables. "We will continue to engage in toddy sales in Tamil Nadu. If we are prevented, we will intensify our protests," Babu declared.
The unique protest has brought the long-standing issue of toddy legalization in Tamil Nadu back into the spotlight, highlighting the complex interplay between traditional practices, livelihood concerns, and state policies.