Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday ordered the closure of 717 retail liquor outlets across the state.

Considering the welfare of the public in mind, Vijay issued orders to shut down the retail liquor outlets. Accordingly, 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 shops near educational institutions, and 255 outlets near bus stands will be closed within the next two weeks, an official release said.

There has been widespread demand, especially from women and a few political parties in the state, that all the liquor shops in the state should be closed.

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) operates 4,765 retail liquor outlets across the state.

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Bengaluru: Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy has alleged that the Karnataka government announced its decision on the hijab issue out of fear of the ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on May 16 organized by Federation of Karnataka Muslim Organisations.

Addressing a press conference at the JD(S) state office, GP Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Thursday, Kumaraswamy said he respects all religions and has expressed his views on the issue on several public platforms in the past.

Questioning the timing of the government’s move, he said the Congress has been in power for three years and had taken no decision on the hijab issue during that period.

He alleged that the decision was taken only because the ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ is scheduled to be held at Town Hall in Bengaluru on May 16.

“If the government had the courage, it should have taken this decision immediately after coming to power. Why did it remain silent for three years?” he asked.

Kumaraswamy accused the Congress of making the announcement to appease a particular community.

He further said the matter is still pending before the courts and claimed that an interim order relating to the hijab issue remains in force.

According to him, issuing such an order before the legal proceedings are concluded amounts to disrespect towards the judiciary.

Kumaraswamy also alleged that the Congress brought the issue back into focus after the Davanagere by-election results.