Covid-19 is a pandemic with a very high spread rate. The Lockdown announced by the Indian Union to prevent the spread was highly appreciated around the world. Within India, Tamil Nadu seemed a safe heaven thanks to the various contingency methods put in place. But like the rest of India, the numbers shot up because of members who attended the Delhi congregation. While the shift action of state government saw the curve decline, the controversial restrictions laid in Chennai and other districts at a very short notice, spread panic among the locals.

Panic buying at vegetable markets and grocery became common scenes and in Chennai, which is home to one of the biggest vegetable market in South Asia – Koyambedu – the rush was unforeseen on days other than those leading up to the festival. Sans masks and social-distancing, there were fears Tamil Nadu was in for a long battle with the pandemic and the subsequent days only laid bare the truth. Though the state government decided to shut to the market and relocate to another place, it was too little too late.

Over the past week, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a huge spike in the number of positive cases and needless to say, Koyambedu became one of the hotspots. It has become the biggest source of spread with many who travelled to other parts of the state too being carriers of the virus that has thrown the normal life into a crisis. Of the 8,004 cases reported as of 12th May, most of the reported cases are through sources from Koyambedu.

While the state machinery acted swiftly in locking the containment zones across Tamil Nadu, it focused more in parts of Chennai where the curve has shown no signs of flattening. Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Royamouram, Pulianthope were put under high-alert as Tamil Nadu pressed the damage control mode.

For a government that clearly understands the importance of quarantine/social distancing to control the pandemic, it is puzzling why it didn’t learn any lessons from Koyambedu. Soon after the Centre announced fresh guidelines under Lockdown 3.0, various state governments which are already deprived of funds, believed opening liquor shops will be the best way to bail them out.

Scenes in Delhi, Bengaluru gave warning to Tamil Nadu, how opening the liquor shops could turn into a crisis. Despite calls from various quarters to not open TASMAC, the state government eventually did. End result – tipplers queuing up for long hours in front of liquor shops sans social distancing with the police – who resorted to lathi-charging those who stepped out to buy essentials in the early days of Lockdown --- giving protection!

While an order from Madras High Court has forced the state to shut the TASMAC for now, the case has now moved to the Supreme Court. Despite the Madras HC asking the state government to explore home delivery of liquor, its stubbornness in opening could further increase the cases in Tamil Nadu.  

With public gatherings still being restricted across the country, and malls, theatres, shopping complexes continue to remain out of utility, and even industries told to function with only 33 per cent of its employees, the risk of opening TASMAC is surely not worth taking.

Having gone through all these precautionary measures, it will be apparent that the Government’s aim is to handle this pandemic ONLY by containment and NOT by treatment.

If TASMAC shops are opened again, it puts the common man at risk. It will be nothing but a complete breach of trust of all the right thinking citizens of the State and we can not be silent spectators while this blatant move is attempted to undermine the health of the People of the state.

Hence, we request you the right minded citizens to sign this petition so that we can plead ourselves as a party in this appeal proceeding in the Supreme Court.

This will give us the satisfaction and pride that we fought a battle in the only forum possible now and regain our right to safety.