Actor Vishal hails CM Vijay's closure of 717 wine shops across Tamil Nadu
Synopsis
Actor Vishal's public endorsement of CM Joseph Vijay's decision to close 717 wine shops—especially near schools—signals early backing from the film fraternity for the new government's social policy. The move targets TASMAC outlets that have long been flashpoints for safety concerns in residential and school zones.
Key Takeaways
Actor Vishal publicly praised CM Joseph Vijay for shutting down 717 wine shops across Tamil Nadu .
The closure specifically targets TASMAC outlets near schools, addressing safety and harassment concerns for girl students.
Vishal cited a case in RK Nagar where a student faced daily stress crossing an alcohol retail outlet.
Vishal has known Vijay for 32 years and also urged attention to infrastructure issues including road repairs and stormwater drains.
The endorsement reflects early support from the film industry for the newly elected Chief Minister's governance agenda.
Actor Vishal on Tuesday praised Chief Minister Joseph Vijay for the decision to shut down 717 wine shops across Tamil Nadu, particularly those operating near schools. In a post on social media platform X, Vishal expressed his admiration for the move, highlighting its potential impact on students and residents.
Vishal's public endorsement
"Kudos to you, whistles to you. Hats off to you. Dear CM Joseph Vijay avargal. Thank you for the announcement to close 717 wine shops, especially the ones near schools," Vishal wrote on X. The actor called the decision "a move" that would benefit vulnerable sections of society, particularly schoolchildren.
Impact on students and communities
Vishal highlighted specific concerns that the closure addresses, citing harassment faced by girl students in proximity to alcohol retail outlets. He referenced a case in RK Nagar, where a girl student had reportedly faced daily stress crossing a TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) store on her way home from school. "She and so many of the common public will hail you and your decision," Vishal noted, suggesting the policy would bring relief to families across the state.
Broader policy expectations
Beyond the wine shop closure, Vishal had earlier outlined additional policy priorities in a separate message to the newly sworn-in Chief Minister. He urged attention to infrastructure challenges including road repairs, waterlogging issues, and implementation of stormwater drain projects that have remained unresolved for three decades. Vishal also requested provisions for mobile toilets for female police constables deployed during official movements.
Actor's 32-year connection with CM
Vishal noted his long-standing personal relationship with Vijay, stating he had known the Chief Minister for 32 years. His remarks underscored both personal respect and civic expectations, framing the wine shop closure as a foundational step toward broader governance improvements in the state.
Point of View
While popular rhetoric, faces implementation questions. TASMAC outlets are revenue sources for the state exchequer; whether the government can absorb the fiscal hit without raising taxes elsewhere remains unclear. The focus on school-proximity closures is sound, but the blanket closure of 717 shops suggests either a political statement or a policy that will require careful fiscal management. Vishal's framing—linking alcohol retail to student harassment—is emotionally resonant but sidesteps the deeper question of whether closure or regulation is the more sustainable approach.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CM Joseph Vijay decide to close 717 wine shops?
CM Vijay announced the closure to address safety and harassment concerns, particularly affecting schoolchildren and girl students near TASMAC outlets. The policy targets wine shops operating in proximity to schools and residential areas.
Who publicly endorsed CM Vijay's wine shop closure decision?
Actor Vishal publicly praised the decision on social media platform X, calling it a positive move that would bring relief to students and communities. Vishal highlighted specific cases of harassment near alcohol retail outlets.
What other policy requests did Vishal make to CM Vijay?
Beyond the wine shop closure, Vishal urged the Chief Minister to address long-standing infrastructure issues including road repairs, waterlogging problems, and stormwater drain implementation. He also requested mobile toilet facilities for female police constables.
How many wine shops are being closed under this policy?
A total of 717 wine shops across Tamil Nadu are being shut down, with particular focus on outlets located near schools and educational institutions.
