Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement protests for toddy ban lift

The Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement held a protest in Coimbatore on Tuesday. They are asking for toddy, a traditional drink made from palm sap, to be recognized as a health drink instead of being classified as an alcoholic beverage. S. Nallasamy, the movement's field coordinator, called the current ban on harvesting and selling toddy unconstitutional. He invited political parties to debate the issue, claiming that his group would give ₹10 crore to anyone who could prove that toddy is harmful. Nallasamy believes that allowing the sale of toddy, along with other palm-based products like neera and padhaneer, would help the state's economy grow. He also urged the government to release a report about issues affecting workers in the coconut and palm industries. He warned that the prices of coconuts and tender coconuts might increase if the authorities do not address the damage caused by the rugose spiraling whitefly pest.