Social Activists Urge Tamil Nadu Government to Declare Dry Day on Good Friday

Chennai, May 29, 2026: Social activists and anti-liquor movements in Tamil Nadu have appealed to the state government to close all liquor shops on Good Friday, which will be observed on March 26, 2027.

Petitions seeking the declaration of Good Friday as an official dry day have been submitted to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Minister for Prohibition and Excise K. Vignesh, urging the government to take immediate action.

Good Friday, commemorating the passion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is observed with deep reverence by the Christian community across the world. The petitioners noted that the day is traditionally marked by prayer services, Way of the Cross processions, peace marches, blood donation drives, and charitable outreach to the poor and needy.

According to the activists, the functioning of liquor shops on such a solemn religious occasion disturbs the spiritual and social atmosphere of the day. They urged the government to ensure that Good Friday observances are conducted in an atmosphere of dignity, peace, and harmony.

The petitioners pointed out that several states, including Delhi and Kerala, already observe the closure of liquor outlets on Good Friday. They also highlighted that Tamil Nadu currently enforces liquor shop closures on important occasions such as Mahavir Jayanti, Milad-un-Nabi, and Vallalar Memorial Day.

Welcoming these existing government measures, the activists requested that Good Friday also be included in the official list of dry days observed by the state.

The demand, according to the petitioners, has been consistently raised over the past five years before political leaders, Minority Welfare Commissioners, and government officials, including the present Minority Welfare Commissioner, Fr. Joe Arun.

Appreciating the government’s initiatives towards total prohibition, the activists further appealed for a special resolution to be introduced in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly declaring the closure of liquor shops on Good Friday as an official state policy.

Social activists expressed hope that such a decision would help preserve the religious and cultural significance of the day while promoting peace and communal harmony across the state.

Courtesy: Tuticorin Diocese Anti-Liquor Movement