Chennai: A 7-year-old boy put government officials to shame in Padur district near Chennai by staging a sit-in protest against a TASMAC liquor shop near his school.
For many days, Padur residents had been complaining of the liquor shop that the officials shifted to residential area following Supreme Court order to ban alcohol sale up to 500 meters from highways.
Clad in his school uniform, Akash sat in front the liquor shop, holding a placard that read, “Stop drinking, and let us learn” ( Kudiyai vidu, Padika vidu ).
Soon, people joined him, forcing the authorities to take notice.
When a police officer asked him the reason behind his protest, Akash answered, “This land is for agriculture. Why build a liquor shop here?”
Learning about the non-violent protest, the authorities reached the spot and promised Akash and the people, that the shop will be closed, India Today reported.
“People work hard, earn money but spend it on liquor. Because of this they don’t have money to spend it for their children’s education. Their kids don’t have books or bags. That’s why I’m protesting”, explained Akash.